European Union leaders have granted the UK a six-month extension to Brexit, after five hours of talks in Brussels.
The new flexible deadline - 31 October - averts the prospect of the UK having to leave the EU on Friday, with MPs still deadlocked over a deal.
European Council president Donald Tusk said his "message to British friends" was "please do not waste this time".
Theresa May, who had wanted a shorter delay, said the UK would still aim to leave the EU as soon as possible.
The UK must now hold European elections in May, or leave on 1 June without a deal.
Prime Minister Mrs May had earlier told leaders she wanted to move the UK's exit date from this Friday to 30 June, with the option of leaving earlier if her withdrawal agreement was ratified by Parliament.
Mr Tusk emerged from the talks - and a subsequent meeting with Mrs May - to address reporters at a news conference at 02:15 local time (01:15 BST).
He said: "The course of action will be entirely in the UK's hands: they can still ratify the withdrawal agreement, in which case the extension can be terminated."
Read also: Brexit: UK asks EU for further extension until 30 June
Mr Tusk said the UK could also rethink its strategy or choose to "cancel Brexit altogether".
He added: "Let me finish with a message to our British friends: This extension is as flexible as I expected, and a little bit shorter than I expected, but it's still enough to find the best possible solution.
"Please do not waste this time."
What was agreed?
   A Brexit extension "only as long as necessary" and "no longer than 31 October" to allow for the ratification of the withdrawal agreement
   The UK "must hold the elections to the European Parliament" and if it fails to do this, the UK will leave on 1 June
   The European Council reiterates there can be no reopening of the withdrawal agreement negotiations
Source: bbc