# Set menubar digital clock format

This setting configures the time and date format for the menubar 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"