Digital clock format

This setting configures the time and date format for the Menu Bar digital clock. Accepted values depend on your Language & Region settings.

• ss for seconds.

• HH for 24-hour clock.

• EEE for 3-letter day of the week.

• d MMM for day of the month and 3-letter month.

• Tested on macOS:

  • Monterey
  • Big Sur
  • Catalina

• Parameter type: string

Set to "EEE d MMM HH:mm:ss"

Thu 18 Aug 21:46:18

defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat" -string "\"EEE d MMM HH:mm:ss\""

Set to "EEE h:mm:ss"

Thu 9:46:18

defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat" -string "\"EEE h:mm:ss\""

Set to "EEE HH:mm:ss"

Thu 21:46:18

defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat" -string "\"EEE HH:mm:ss\""

Read current value

defaults read com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat"

Reset to default value

defaults delete com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat"