FOMC Meeting Schedule — March 2026
Exact March 2026 Federal Reserve meeting dates, the rate-decision time, and a live countdown.
The March 2026 FOMC meeting is held March 17-18, 2026. The Federal Reserve announces its interest rate decision on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, along with the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) and the dot plot. This meeting has already taken place.
March 2026 Meeting Details
- Meeting dates
- March 17-18, 2026
- Decision announced
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 2:00 PM ET
- Press conference
- 2:30 PM ET (every meeting)
- Economic projections (SEP)
- Yes — SEP + dot plot
- Current target rate
- 3.5% – 3.75%
- Status
- Completed
March 2026 Decision-Day Timeline
- Day 1
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The committee meets behind closed doors. No public statement is released on the first day.
- 2:00 PM
Rate decision & statement
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the FOMC releases its policy statement announcing whether rates are raised, lowered, or held, along with the SEP and dot plot.
- 2:30 PM
Chair press conference
The Fed Chair takes questions and explains the committee's reasoning and outlook.
- +3 wks
Meeting minutes
Roughly three weeks later, the Fed publishes the detailed minutes of the discussion.
March 2026 FOMC Meeting — FAQs
When is the March 2026 FOMC meeting?
The March 2026 FOMC meeting is held March 17-18, 2026. The Federal Reserve announces its interest rate decision on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
What time is the March 2026 Fed rate decision?
The FOMC releases its policy statement and rate decision at 2:00 PM ET on the second day of the meeting, followed by the Fed Chair press conference at 2:30 PM ET.
Does the March 2026 FOMC meeting include economic projections?
Yes. The March 2026 meeting is one of four meetings each year that include the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) and the "dot plot" of rate forecasts.
How many days until the March 2026 Fed meeting?
The March 2026 FOMC meeting has already taken place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Full FOMC Meeting Schedule
Every 2025, 2026, and 2027 Fed meeting date and rate decision.
Next FOMC Meeting Countdown
Live countdown to the next Fed rate decision, with an .ics calendar download.
Authoritative sources: Federal Reserve · FOMC · FRED Economic Data · U.S. Treasury
FOMC meeting dates sourced from the Federal Reserve Board.