What is Daylight Saving Time (DST)?

Daylight Saving Time, often abbreviated as DST, is the practice of setting clocks forward by one hour from standard time during the summer months and back again in the fall to make better use of natural daylight.

Quick Answer

Daylight Saving Time is when we change the clocks to make evenings longer in the summer. You probably know it as 'spring forward, fall back.' In the spring, we move the clock forward one hour, and in the fall, we move it back one hour to return to standard time. The main idea is to save energy and enjoy more daylight after work.

The Purpose of DST

The primary goal of DST is to extend daylight into the evening hours during summer. By "borrowing" an hour of daylight from the morning, people can enjoy longer evenings with natural light, which is believed to save energy and promote outdoor activities.

How It Works: "Spring Forward, Fall Back"

  • Spring Forward: In the spring, clocks are advanced by one hour (e.g., from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM). This marks the beginning of DST.
  • Fall Back: In the autumn, clocks are set back by one hour (e.g., from 2:00 AM to 1:00 AM), returning to standard time.

Not all countries or regions observe DST. For example, Japan, India, and China do not use it. In the United States, states like Arizona and Hawaii do not observe DST.

Conclusion

Daylight Saving Time is a seasonal time change practice that affects scheduling and time conversion in many parts of the world. It's a key reason why checking the exact local time is important. Our World Clock and other tools automatically account for DST changes.