When UK Clocks Go Back in 2026—and What It Means

Did the clocks go back tonight in the UK?

Yes. The change took place at 2am BST on Sunday 25 October 2026. At that point, clocks went back one hour to 1am GMT. This means that the period between 1am and 2am happened twice. ¹

If you are reading this on Sunday, the change has already happened. The extra hour is a feature of the clock, not a promise that everyone slept for an hour longer: your bedtime, wake-up time and plans still affect how much you sleep.

Why do the clocks change in autumn?

The UK moves from British Summer Time, or BST, to Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, in autumn. The clock change is intended to make more use of daylight at different times of year. The historical reason given for introducing clock changes was to reduce fuel use by making better use of evening daylight. ¹

The result in everyday life is a change in the relationship between the clock and daylight. After the autumn change, sunrise initially comes earlier by the clock and sunset comes earlier too, so evenings become darker sooner. ¹

Will my phone and other clocks change automatically?

Internet-connected devices, including many smartphones, televisions, laptops and tablets, often update their time automatically. ¹³

A clock that is not connected to the internet may need to be set by hand. Check devices such as analogue clocks and some alarm clocks or car radios, especially if you rely on them to wake up or leave at a particular time. ¹³

• Check household clocks that do not connect to the internet.
• Check your alarm setting if it is on a separate clock.
• If a device shows the wrong time, consult its instructions or the device maker.

Does the clock change mean I will sleep better?

The autumn change gives an extra hour on the clock, but the supplied sources do not show that everyone will sleep longer or feel better rested. People’s routines and sleep can differ, so the practical effect may vary.

The available sleep guidance is aimed at children in the United States and at that country’s November clock change, not UK adults or this UK date. It describes gradually shifting children’s schedules as one possible way to help them adjust, but it should not be treated as specific UK medical guidance. ⁴

For daily routines, the straightforward step is to check that clocks and alarms show the correct time. If a sleep concern is affecting you or your family, a health professional is an appropriate source of advice.

When do UK clocks go forward again?

The next change listed in the supplied UK source is Sunday 28 March 2027, when clocks are due to go forward by one hour. ¹

That date is useful for planning, but clock-change arrangements can be subject to change. Check an official UK source nearer the time if you need to confirm the schedule.