Traditionally, April Fools’ pranks are done until noon on April 1. Some people and outlets treat it as a full 24-hour day , but the noon cutoff is the more common old-school rule.

Quick answer

  • Most traditional rule: stop at 12:00 p.m. on April 1.
  • Looser modern take: you can prank through the whole day if your audience expects it.

Practical advice

If you’re posting for fun, earlier is safer because people are more likely to enjoy it before midday. If you’re doing a brand or public post, keep it light, harmless, and clearly joke-like so it doesn’t backfire.

Simple rule of thumb

  • For tradition: stop at noon.
  • For internet culture: some pranks run all day.
  • For anything public: keep it brief and harmless.