Daylight Saving Time (DST) is coming up in the US. Public support is low—only 12% of US adults back the current system, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Many want to “lock the clock” year-round.
Now, a new bill is suggesting a compromise: “Half-Daylight Saving Time.”
Introduced earlier this month by Representative Greg Steube (R-FL), the Daylight Act of 2026 proposes shifting clocks ahead by half an hour and ending the biannual time changes.
DST starts in the US30-Minute Offset
This means all US time zones would have half-hour UTC offsets—an exception rather than a rule in the rest of the world.
In addition, the Daylight Act of 2026 would readjust US time zones to those set out in the Standard Time Act of 1918 (also known as the Calder Act).
As of today, the bill remains before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
If it comes into effect one day, our Time Zone Converter will always be up to date and available online to help you find the exact time difference.
In the table below, we list some examples that show how far ahead each city is from Chicago now, and how far they would be if the US adopted permanent Half-Daylight Saving Time.
DST in the US
DST always starts on the second Sunday in March in the US. This year, it falls on the earliest possible date, March 8. Standard time, also known as winter time, will resume on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
US clock change in detailCanada also begins DST on the same date, while the majority of Europe starts DST three weeks later, on March 29, 2026.
Frequently Asked DST Questions
What is DST?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of setting the clocks forward during part of the year to make better use of natural daylight. Changing the clocks does not create extra daylight, but it shifts civil time in relation to solar time. In other words, sunrise and sunset happen an hour later, on the clock, when DST is in effect.
Is Summer Time the same as DST?
Saying “summer time” instead of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is common in many countries, like the United Kingdom. The term winter time is sometimes used instead of standard time, which is the official name for the period without DST.
Is DST bad for your health?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) can mess with our body clock and can trigger underlying health issues. This time change can cause disruptions to our body clock, otherwise known as the circadian rhythm.