Daylight Saving Time 2025: When Clocks Fall Back This November

As autumn settles across the United States, millions of Americans are preparing for that biannual ritual of resetting their clocks. Daylight saving time will come to an end on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2 a.m., when clocks will "fall back" one hour, giving us an extra hour of sleep but ushering in darker evenings.

When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2025?

Mark your calendars: at 2 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, November 2, 2025, clocks will roll back to 1 a.m. This marks the official end of daylight saving time for the year. Most smartphones and digital devices will adjust automatically, but analog clocks, car dashboards, and appliances will need manual updates.

After this change, daylight saving time won't return until Sunday, March 8, 2026, when we'll "spring forward" once again. This means Americans will experience standard time for approximately four months—a period that has shrunk considerably since daylight saving time was first implemented.

Understanding "Fall Back, Spring Forward"

The simple mnemonic "spring forward, fall back" helps millions remember which direction to adjust their clocks. When we "fall back" in November, clocks are set one hour behind—meaning if you typically fall asleep at 10 p.m., it will feel like 9 p.m. once the clocks change. This grants most people an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning, though the adjustment can still affect circadian rhythms and daily routines.

Conversely, when clocks "spring forward" in March, we lose an hour of sleep as clocks jump from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. instantly.

The Origins of Daylight Saving Time

While often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who wrote about the concept in the 1780s as a way to save money on candles, daylight saving time as we know it was first implemented during World War I. The practice was established in the United States through the Standard Time Act of 1918, designed to conserve fuel and energy during wartime by maximizing daylight hours.

The modern version became standardized in 1966 when Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, establishing consistent start and end dates across the nation. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended daylight saving time to its current eight-month duration, beginning on the second Sunday in March and ending on the first Sunday in November.

Which States Don't Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Not all Americans participate in the clock-changing ritual. Hawaii and most of Arizona—except for the Navajo Nation—do not observe daylight saving time. Additionally, five U.S. territories remain on standard time year-round: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

These regions have determined that the practice doesn't benefit their populations, often due to their geographic locations and proximity to the equator, where daylight hours remain more consistent throughout the year.

The Push to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

For years, lawmakers have attempted to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes. The Sunshine Protection Act, first introduced in March 2018 by then-Senator Marco Rubio of Florida and Representative Vern Buchanan, would make daylight saving time permanent across all twelve months. The legislation has been reintroduced multiple times—in 2019, 2021, 2023, and most recently in January 2025 by Senator Rick Scott and Representative Buchanan.

In 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act, but it stalled in the House of Representatives and never reached President Biden's desk for signature. The 2025 version remains pending in Congress.

President Donald Trump has publicly supported ending the time changes. In April 2025, he posted on Truth Social: "The House and Senate should push hard for more Daylight at the end of a day. Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, A VERY COSTLY EVENT!!!"

Proponents of permanent daylight saving time argue that extended evening daylight would boost economic activity, support tourism—particularly in states like Florida—and eliminate the disruption caused by changing clocks twice yearly.

Health Impacts of Clock Changes

The time shift isn't just an inconvenience—it can have measurable health effects. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has linked daylight saving time transitions to increased rates of heart attacks, strokes, abnormal heart rhythms, sleep disruption, mood disturbances, and even suicide.

Dr. Darien Sutton, ABC News medical correspondent, recommends several strategies to ease the transition when clocks fall back:

• Shift your schedule gradually by adjusting bedtime 10-15 minutes earlier each day leading up to the change
• Limit naps to 30 minutes and take them before 3 p.m. if you feel fatigued
• Increase exposure to sunlight during the day, especially in the morning
• Limit alcohol and caffeine intake around the time change

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has formed a coalition advocating for permanent standard time rather than permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with human circadian biology.

Helping Children Adjust to the Time Change

Parents and caregivers face particular challenges with younger children during time changes. Parenting expert Ericka Souter recommends starting preparations early: "To help your child's body adjust, don't just move bedtime. Start moving everything—meals, naps, and wake times—earlier by about 10 to 15 minutes each day leading up to the time change."

Other helpful strategies include keeping bedroom curtains drawn or lights dimmed until the appropriate wake-up time, preventing early sunrises from disrupting sleep schedules. Souter notes that "most kids need a few days or sometimes a full week to adjust," so parents should expect temporary changes in mood, appetite, and behavior.

Global Perspective on Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time affects more than 70 countries worldwide and impacts over a billion people annually. However, the specific start and end dates vary by country. Many nations have debated or abolished the practice entirely, with the European Union voting in 2019 to allow member states to choose whether to observe daylight saving time, though implementation has been delayed.

Practical Tips for the November Time Change

To make the most of falling back this November, consider these practical steps:

• Change smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks—it's an easy way to remember this important safety task
• Review and adjust medication schedules that are time-sensitive
• Update manual clocks in your car, on appliances, and throughout your home
• Use the extra hour on Sunday morning for self-care or to catch up on rest
• Be mindful while driving in the days following the change, as pedestrian accidents tend to increase with darker evenings

Looking Ahead

As we approach November 2, 2025, the debate over daylight saving time continues. While the Sunshine Protection Act remains in legislative limbo, Americans will continue the tradition of changing clocks twice yearly. Whether you view the fall time change as a welcome return to standard time or an inconvenient disruption, preparation and awareness can help ease the transition.

Until Congress acts to make daylight saving time permanent—or chooses to adopt year-round standard time—setting our clocks back each November will remain an American autumn tradition, reminding us that even time itself is subject to human adjustment and political debate.