When do the clocks change?
In the UK the clocks go back one hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October, and forward one hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March. Next they go back on Sunday 25 October 2026, then forward on Sunday 28 March 2027, then back on Sunday 31 October 2027.
Clock change dates, 2026 to 2030
| Year | Clocks go forward (1am) | Clocks go back (2am) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 29 March | Sunday 25 October |
| 2027 | Sunday 28 March | Sunday 31 October |
| 2028 | Sunday 26 March | Sunday 29 October |
| 2029 | Sunday 25 March | Sunday 28 October |
| 2030 | Sunday 31 March | Sunday 27 October |
Going forward starts British Summer Time (BST), an hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and you lose an hour’s sleep. Going back returns the UK to GMT, and you gain an hour.
Questions
Do the clocks go forward or back in October?
Back. At 2am on the last Sunday in October the clocks go back one hour to 1am, the UK returns to GMT, and the night has an extra hour.
What time do the clocks change?
Forward at 1am on the last Sunday in March (1am becomes 2am), and back at 2am on the last Sunday in October (2am becomes 1am).
Will my phone and calendar change by themselves?
Phones and computers set to update automatically change by themselves. A meeting in your calendar stays at the time it was set for: a 9am stand-up is still at 9am the week after. Radar reads recurring meetings the same way, by the clock on the wall.
Is the UK on BST or GMT now?
From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October the UK is on British Summer Time (BST, GMT plus one hour); the rest of the year it is on GMT.
The rule and the dates are GOV.UK’s (gov.uk/when-do-the-clocks-change); years after those GOV.UK lists follow the same rule.
More dates: UK bank holidays · when the clocks change · Easter 2027 · Mother’s Day · Father’s Day · 2027 calendar · working days calculator
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