How to Change Date and Time Format in WordPress (Step by Step Guide)

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read

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WordPress is a popular platform for creating websites and blogs, but sometimes you may find that the default date and time format doesn't quite suit your needs. Fortunately, WordPress allows you to easily change the date and time format to better align with your preferences....

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

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This article explains How to Change Date and Time Format in WordPress (Step by Step Guide) in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

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Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

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Definition

WordPress is a popular platform for creating websites and blogs, but sometimes you may find that the default date and time format doesn’t quite suit your needs. Fortunately, WordPress allows you to easily change the date and time format to better align with your preferences. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of changing the date and time format in WordPress in plain English, making it easy for anyone to follow along. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have full control over how dates and times are displayed on your WordPress website.

How to Change Date and Time Format in WordPress (Step by Step Guide)

Step 1: Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard

To begin, log in to your WordPress dashboard. This is the control center for your website, where you can make various changes and updates.

Step 2: Access the Settings Menu

In the dashboard, locate and click on the “Settings” menu. This menu is where you can tweak various settings for your WordPress site.

Step 3: Click on ‘General’

Within the “Settings” menu, you’ll see several options. Click on “General” to access the general settings for your website.

Step 4: Choose Your Preferred Date Format

Scroll down until you find the “Date Format” section. This is where you can change how dates are displayed on your website.

Step 5: Select a Date Format

In the “Date Format” section, you’ll see a dropdown menu with various date format options. Choose the one that best suits your needs. For example, you can select “F j, Y” for a format like “January 1, 2023” or “Y/m/d” for “2023/01/01”.

Step 6: Customize Your Time Format (Optional)

If you also want to change the time format, scroll down to the “Time Format” section. Similar to the date format, you can select a time format from the dropdown menu. For example, you can choose “g:i a” for a format like “1:30 pm”.

Step 7: Save Changes

Once you’ve selected your preferred date and time formats, don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Save Changes” button. This will apply the new date and time formats to your website.

Step 8: Check Your Website

To ensure that the changes have been applied successfully, visit your website and navigate to a page or post that displays the date and time. You should now see the updated formats you’ve chosen.

1. Why Change Date and Time Format?

Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand why you might want to change the date and time format on your WordPress website.

Imagine you have a blog, and you want to make sure your readers can easily understand when your articles were published. Or perhaps you have an online store, and you want your customers to see when products were added or when they can expect deliveries. In these scenarios, customizing the date and time format becomes crucial for clear communication.

WordPress provides several date and time format options, allowing you to choose what works best for your website’s content and audience. So, let’s get started on how to make these changes.

2. Accessing WordPress Dashboard

The first step in changing the date and time format is accessing your WordPress dashboard. This is where you’ll find all the settings and customization options for your website.

To do this, open your web browser and enter your website’s URL followed by “/wp-admin” (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin). Press “Enter,” and you’ll be directed to the login page.

3. Navigating to Date and Time Settings

Now that you’re in the WordPress dashboard, it’s time to locate the settings for date and time formats.

Look for the “Settings” option on the left-hand sidebar. When you hover your cursor over it, a dropdown menu will appear. Click on “General.”

This will take you to the General Settings page, where you can modify various aspects of your website, including the date and time format.

4. Choosing Date and Time Formats

On the General Settings page, you’ll see several options related to your website’s settings. The first option you’ll encounter is “Site Language.” You can choose your preferred language here, but for now, we’re focused on date and time formatting.

Scroll down the page until you find the “Date Format” and “Time Format” options. These are the settings we’ll be customizing to change how dates and times are displayed on your website.

Click on the dropdown menus next to “Date Format” and “Time Format” to see the available formatting options. WordPress provides a variety of choices to suit different needs.

For instance, you can select “F j, Y” for a format like “January 1, 2023” or “j M, Y” for “1 Jan, 2023.” Similarly, you can pick “g:i a” for time formatting like “1:30 pm” or “H:i” for “13:30” in the 24-hour format.

Choose the date and time formats that best suit your website’s style and content. Remember that you can always preview how the formats will look before making a final decision.

5. Customizing Date and Time Formats

In some cases, the predefined date and time formats might not be exactly what you’re looking for. WordPress allows you to customize these formats further.

If you want to create a custom format, you can use the following format codes:

d – Day of the month (01 to 31)
D – A textual representation of a day (e.g., Mon, Tue)
m – Month (01 to 12)
M – A short textual representation of a month (e.g., Jan, Feb)
y – Year (two digits)
Y – Year (four digits)
g – Hour in 12-hour format (1 to 12)
G – Hour in 24-hour format (0 to 23)
i – Minutes (00 to 59)
a – Lowercase am or pm

To customize your date and time formats, simply enter these format codes in the “Custom” field provided below the dropdown menus. For example, if you want a date format like “01-Jan-2023” and a time format like “3:30 PM,” you can enter the following:

Date Format: d-M-Y Time Format: g:i A

Play around with these codes to create the exact format you desire. WordPress will replace these codes with the corresponding date and time elements when your content is displayed on your website.

6. Saving Your Changes

Once you’ve chosen or customized your date and time formats to your liking, don’t forget to save your changes.

Scroll down to the bottom of the General Settings page, and you’ll find a “Save Changes” button. Click on it, and WordPress will update your settings.

It’s important to note that once you save these changes, they will apply to your entire website. All the posts, pages, and comments that display dates and times will now use the new format you’ve selected.

7. Checking Your Website

After saving your changes, it’s a good idea to check your website to ensure that the date and time formats have been updated as expected.

Visit your website’s front-end by clicking on the “Visit Site” link at the top of the dashboard. Browse through your posts, pages, or comments to see how the new date and time formats appear.

If everything looks the way you want it to, congratulations! You’ve successfully changed the date and time format on your WordPress website.

Conclusion

In this step-by-step guide, we’ve walked you through the process of changing the date and time format in WordPress. By customizing these settings, you can ensure that your website’s visitors can easily understand when content was published or when events are scheduled.

Remember that the date and time formats you choose should align with your website’s style and content. Whether you prefer a formal format like “January 1, 2023,” or something more concise like “1 Jan, 2023,” WordPress gives you the flexibility to make it your own.

By following these simple steps, you’ve enhanced the readability and accessibility of your website while also making it more search engine friendly. Search engines appreciate well-organized and clearly displayed information, which can ultimately improve your website’s visibility.

So, go ahead and customize your date and time formats to make your WordPress website even more user-friendly and tailored to your audience’s preferences.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first

If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story

Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician

A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests

Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse

If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

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Name or nickname Phone / contact District / area Age group Sex Severity today

Main symptoms How long has it been happening? Medicines already taken Tests already done Your question 0/1200

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

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How to Change Date and Time Format in WordPress (Step by Step Guide)

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