UK time change guide · 2026–2028
When Do the Clocks Change in the UK? 2026–2028 Dates
UK clocks change twice a year. In autumn, they go back one hour as British Summer Time (BST) ends. In spring, they go forward one hour as BST begins. Here are the confirmed dates, the exact times and a live countdown to the next change.
At 2:00am BST, clocks go back to 1:00am GMT. The same hour happens twice, so the night is one clock-hour longer.
Official dates checked against GOV.UK and the National Physical Laboratory on 24 October 2026.
Live countdown
Next UK clock change
Clocks go back by one hour
Sunday, 25 October 2026
02:00 BST → 01:00 GMT
In autumn, the 1:00–1:59am hour occurs twice. The countdown uses the UK clock-change rule and your device’s current time.
UK clock change dates for 2026, 2027 and 2028
The dates below are published by the UK government. The seasonal change follows the last-Sunday rule: clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.
| Year | Clocks go forward | Clocks go back |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, 29 March · 1am GMT → 2am BST Forward 1 hour | Sunday, 25 October · 2am BST → 1am GMT Back 1 hour |
| 2027 | Sunday, 28 March · 1am GMT → 2am BST Forward 1 hour | Sunday, 31 October · 2am BST → 1am GMT Back 1 hour |
| 2028 | Sunday, 26 March · 1am GMT → 2am BST Forward 1 hour | Sunday, 29 October · 2am BST → 1am GMT Back 1 hour |
What time do the clocks change?
In spring: clocks go forward
At 1:00am GMT on the last Sunday in March, the clock jumps forward to 2:00am BST. Local times between 1:00am and 1:59am are skipped, so the night is one clock-hour shorter.
Spring forwardIn autumn: clocks go back
At 2:00am BST on the last Sunday in October, the clock returns to 1:00am GMT. The hour from 1:00am to 1:59am occurs twice, so the night is one clock-hour longer.
Fall backDo phones, computers and alarms change automatically?
Most internet-connected phones and computers update the time automatically when automatic date, time and time-zone settings are enabled. A device with manual settings, outdated time-zone data or no network connection may need attention. Traditional wall clocks, watches, car clocks and some household appliances usually need to be changed manually.
Quick checklist before bed
- Phone: make sure automatic date/time and automatic time-zone settings are enabled.
- Alarm clock: check whether it updates automatically; adjust it manually if it does not.
- Car and household clocks: check the dashboard, oven, microwave and wall clock after the change.
- Early shifts or travel: confirm the local departure time and any overnight rota, especially if your scheduled time falls between 1am and 2am.
- Online meetings: leave calendar events set to the correct UK time zone rather than manually changing each meeting.
When the clocks go back, an overnight shift can include the repeated hour. Employers and workers should confirm how the extra clock-hour is handled under the relevant rota and pay arrangements; the time change alone does not determine a person’s pay entitlement.
Do the clocks change across the whole UK?
Yes. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow the same clock-change dates and time changes. The UK does not use a different seasonal clock-change date for each nation.
After the autumn change, the UK uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During British Summer Time, the UK is one hour ahead of GMT. These changes can temporarily alter the time difference between the UK and places such as the United States and Canada, because their daylight-saving schedules do not always change on the same dates.
UK clock change FAQs
When do the clocks go back in the UK in 2026?
The clocks go back on Sunday, 25 October 2026. At 2:00am British Summer Time (BST), they return to 1:00am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
When do the clocks go forward in 2027?
Clocks go forward on Sunday, 28 March 2027. At 1:00am GMT, the time jumps to 2:00am British Summer Time (BST).
Do clocks go back at 1am or 2am?
In autumn, the change happens at 2:00am BST. The clock is turned back to 1:00am GMT, so the 1am hour repeats. In spring, the clock jumps forward at 1:00am GMT to 2:00am BST.
Do all parts of the UK change clocks on the same date?
Yes. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow the same UK clock-change schedule.
Will my phone change the time automatically?
Usually, yes, if automatic date, time and time-zone settings are enabled and the device has current time-zone information. Check a phone or computer that uses manual settings, and change analogue clocks and other devices manually.
Is British Summer Time the same as GMT?
No. BST is one hour ahead of GMT (UTC+1). The UK uses GMT (UTC+0) in winter and BST in the summer period.
Do we get an extra hour of sleep when clocks go back?
The clock gives the night an extra hour because 1:00am to 1:59am happens twice. Whether you actually sleep for an extra hour depends on your routine, and overnight shifts may be longer by the clock.
More date and time tools
Planning workdays, leave or meetings around dates? These UIG tools may help:
Official sources
The dates and time-change rules on this page were checked against UK government and national timekeeping sources. Use the official schedule if a future legislative change is announced.
- GOV.UK: When do the clocks change? — published dates for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
- National Physical Laboratory: When do the clocks change? — exact transition times and the difference between GMT and BST.
- House of Commons Library: British Summer Time — background on the UK’s seasonal clock-change arrangements.
- Royal Observatory Greenwich: When do clocks go back? — seasonal explanation and practical context.
Last fact-check: 24 October 2026. Clock-change countdown dates follow the current UK last-Sunday rule; always check GOV.UK for any future official changes.