Do We Lose an Hour of Sleep Tonight or Gain an Hour?
Daylight Saving3 min readApril 1, 2026

Do We Lose an Hour of Sleep Tonight or Gain an Hour?

Do we lose an hour of sleep tonight or gain an hour? The answer depends on whether it's the spring or fall time change. Here's how to know which one is happening and what to expect.

Marcus Webb
Geography & Time Writer

Do We Lose an Hour of Sleep Tonight or Gain an Hour?

Spring change (March): You lose an hour. Clocks jump 2 AM to 3 AM — your night is shorter. Fall change (November): You gain an hour. Clocks fall 2 AM to 1 AM — your night is longer.

How to Know Which One Is Tonight

  • Spring change: Second Sunday of March (2026: March 8)
  • Fall change: First Sunday of November (2026: November 1)

Tips for Spring (Losing an Hour)

  • Go to bed 30-60 minutes earlier the night before
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evening
  • Expect grogginess for 2-3 days

Quick Answer

Spring change = lose an hour. Fall change = gain an hour.

#sleep#DST#time change#spring forward fall back