How to Change Date and Time Format in WordPress
We all want our website content to get viewed in different time zones and it is quite important to change date and time format as per the time zones of your viewer. So, to make sure your content goes live at the intended time, we make changes in date and time format.
As WordPress automatically assigns a date to all published posts and pages. However, these might not always align with your needs, especially if you’re in a different time zone, traveling, or working with an international audience.To overcome this issue, WordPress comes with a built-in feature that allows you to change the date and time format in WordPress. Ensuring your site’s date and time are accurate and run smoothly in different time zones.
If you’re unsure about how to change the date and time format in WordPress, you’re in the right place. In this tutorial will guide you through the process, explaining the need for time zones and demonstrating how to adjust the date and time settings in WordPress.
Why You Should Add Time Zone
If you have a global audience or time-sensitive content, scheduling posts at specific times with the correct time zone is essential for a better user experience. It’s important to set the right time on your website to ensure it runs smoothly and provides a consistent and accurate experience for all users.
Additionally, if you rely on scheduled tasks, it’s wise to double-check your time zone settings after making any changes. Consider using a plugin like WP Control, which allows you to monitor WP Cron jobs and take control of scheduled cron events on your WordPress site.
Now, let’s get started to change the date and time format in WordPress:
Step 1: Add Date and Time in WordPress
It’s extremely easy to set a date and time in WordPress. All you have to do is follow a few steps given below.
- Login to the WordPress admin panel and go to Settings>>General.
- Go to the Timezone drop-down option and select your preferred time zone. You can choose either a city or a UTC timezone that fits best.
- Finally, scroll down and click Save Changes.
Step 2: Change Date and Time Format
Once you have added date and time format in WordPress, now it’s time to change date and time format.
- Simply scroll down the Date Format section.
- Select predefined date formats or customize in your preferred format manually.
- Now, follow the same steps for the Time Format section.
Each letter given beside the date format represents a specific part of the date and time. There are also examples of date and time formats.
Example: January 26, 2025 (F j, Y) and 12:50 am (g:i a)
You can also add a custom date and time format as per your requirement.
- F = full name for the month.
- j= The day of the month.
- Y = The year in 4 digits. (lower-case y gives the year’s last 2 digits.)
Here, I have listed a few examples of date format and its output.
- January 26, 2025 (F j, Y)
- 2025-01-29 (Y-m-d)
- 01/29/2025 (m/d/Y)
- 29/01/2025 (d/m/Y)
- 12:50 am (g:i a)
- 6:43 AM (g:i A)
- 06:43 (H: i)
You can also set the first day of the week. Once you are done, click on Save Changes to update the date and time format on the website.
Wrapping Up
Now take your time to configure these settings properly, as small effort can significantly impact how your website is perceived and viewed. Similarly, give it a try and remember to double-check your settings after making any changes, and consider using the plugin to manage scheduled tasks for optimal website performance.
I hope you find it helpful to add time and date. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any queries, then ask us in the comment section below.