When do the clocks change in the UK?
The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October 2026
in 24 days
The UK is on BST now. It is 00:00:00.
The clocks go back one hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October, when British Summer Time (BST) ends and the UK returns to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). They go forward one hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March, when BST begins. "Spring forward, fall back" is the easy way to remember which way they go.
UK clock change dates
| Year | Clocks go forward (BST starts) | Clocks go back (GMT returns) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 29 March | Sunday 25 October |
| 2027 | Sunday 28 March | Sunday 31 October |
| 2028 | Sunday 26 March | Sunday 29 October |
What happens when the clocks go back
At 2am BST the time becomes 1am GMT, so the hour from 1am to 2am happens twice. You get an extra hour in bed, and the night is 25 hours long. Mornings get lighter for a few weeks and evenings get dark earlier: sunset in London moves from about 5:45pm to 4:45pm overnight.
Phones, computers and smart speakers update by themselves. Clocks to change by hand are usually in the car, the oven and microwave, central heating timers and older watches. Night-shift workers often work an extra hour, which their employer should take into account.
What happens when the clocks go forward
At 1am GMT the time jumps to 2am BST, so 1am to 2am never happens and the night is only 23 hours long. You lose an hour of sleep, but evenings stay light for longer through spring and summer.
Why the UK changes its clocks
British Summer Time was introduced by the Summer Time Act 1916, during the First World War, to make better use of daylight and save fuel. The idea had been championed by the builder William Willett. From 1968 to 1971 the UK tried staying on summer time all year. The experiment ended because winter mornings in Scotland and northern England stayed dark until well after 9am.
Other countries change on different dates, so the time difference with them can shift for a few weeks. See the world clock for live differences, and read more about British Summer Time and GMT.
Frequently asked questions
When do the clocks go back in 2026?
At 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026 the clocks go back one hour to 1am, and the UK returns to Greenwich Mean Time.
When do the clocks go forward in 2027?
At 1am on Sunday 28 March 2027 the clocks go forward one hour to 2am, and British Summer Time begins.
Do I get an extra hour in bed?
Yes, in October. When the clocks go back, 1am to 2am happens twice, so that night is 25 hours long. In March you lose an hour.
Does my phone change automatically?
Yes, as long as automatic date and time is switched on, which it is by default. The change happens at the exact moment, overnight.