Date and time
Time and date formats
The date and time may be formatted in the following ways: Date or time When and how to use Example Time Within the current day,...
The date and time may be formatted in the following ways:
Date or time | When and how to use | Example |
---|---|---|
Time | Within the current day, use uppercase AM or PM, |
2:00 PM |
24-hour clock | Display the time without AM/PM. | 14:00 |
Month, day, and year |
Show the date with the year. If it’s within the current |
January 14 |
Approximate time | Round down to the largest and most recent date |
In 5 minutes 3 days ago |
Absolute time | When approximate time isn’t appropriate, display |
Today, 10:00 AM |
Time and date ranges
To display a date or time range, show an en dash (without spaces) between a range of dates or times. For example: 8:00 AM–12:30 PM...
To display a date or time range, show an en dash (without spaces) between a range of dates or times.
For example:
8:00 AM–12:30 PM
6 Jan–2 Feb
Add spaces when spelling out months, or to remove ambiguity.
Range | When and how to use | Example |
---|---|---|
Year | Date ranges are formatted based on whether the range covers the same year or the current year: |
Dec 6, 2013–Jan 2, 2014 |
AM/PM | Use a single AM or PM at the end of the range, if both times have the same AM/PM. |
8:00–10:30 AM |
Time zones
As time zones vary across regions, time zone usage should be specific. Types of time zones Description Example Single-digit hours Remove the leading 0 for...
As time zones vary across regions, time zone usage should be specific.
Types of time zones | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
Single-digit hours |
Remove the leading 0 for single-digit hours. | UTC+5:00 |
Single time zones |
Use two-letter time zones when referring to a single time zone. Remove the S (for Standard) or D (for Daylight). |
Open 4–10 PM ET |
Combination time zones |
When specifying a date for a nationwide audience, include Standard or Daylight acronyms (such as EDT) to avoid confusion. Some U.S. states, such as Arizona, don't use daylight savings time. |
The first game is on April 13, 2020 at 4 PM EDT. |
When to show date and time
Depending on the context, show either date or time, or both date and time. Time period When and how to use Example Future Include time...
Depending on the context, show either date or time, or both date and time.
Time period | When and how to use | Example |
---|---|---|
Future | Include time to a future day or date. | 10 Jan, 08:00 |
Past | When referring to a past time, display both |
Reminded Jan 5, 7:16 AM |
Distant past | For events in the distant past, omit the time. | 3 Jan |
Weekday | When referring to a day of the week, display |
Mon, Jan 10, 8:00 AM |
Duration | Show the duration of a recording, like audio or |
0:30 1:01:05 |
Abbreviations
Use abbreviations when space is limited. Unit of time Description Example Month Months can be abbreviated or numeric. Jan 6 3/12/12 Date The US date...
Use abbreviations when space is limited.
Unit of time | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
Month | Months can be abbreviated or numeric. | Jan 6 3/12/20 |
Date | The US date format is month/day/year, but |
If the date March 12, 2020 |
Day | Abbreviate days of the week using the |
S for Sunday M for Monday |
Day and time |
Abbreviated days of the week may be combined with a time. |
Sun, 2:00 PM Sun, 14:00 |
Rounded numbers |
You can use abbreviated numerical units, |
8 AM 2 hr 32 min ago |
Talking about date and time
Display date and time information as people normally speak to each other, when space is available. This helps users understand what the date or time...
Display date and time information as people normally speak to each other, when space is available. This helps users understand what the date or time is for, such as: “Store open 9:00 AM–Midnight” or “Reminder for tomorrow afternoon.”
- Refer to “yesterday” or “tomorrow” in those terms
- If the day is in the upcoming week, include the day of the week (such as Tuesday)
Data redaction
Data redaction and truncation refers to how to represent truncated numbers and disguise sensitive data.
Redacting numbers
Midline ellipses [• • •] are bulleted characters that partially hide sensitive data. They indicate when a number, such as a credit card or Social...
Midline ellipses [• • •] are bulleted characters that partially hide sensitive data. They indicate when a number, such as a credit card or Social Security number, is not entirely visible.
When to use 3 ellipses
To redact most numbers, like Social Security numbers, use three midline ellipses [• • •].
You can use this format across typefaces and platforms:
- Place two regular spaces before the first midline ellipse.
- Then add a thin space between each midline ellipse and after the final one.
Or, use the Unicode string instead:
U0020,U0020,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006
When to use 4 ellipses
Credit and debit card data must be redacted using four midline ellipses [• • • •].
Written in Unicode:
U0020,U0020,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006,U2022, U2006,U2022,U2006
Redacting letters
Baseline ellipses [...] represent letters, words, or phrases that aren’t shown. They also represent when a name or email address is only partially visible. Type...
Baseline ellipses [...] represent letters, words, or phrases that aren’t shown. They also represent when a name or email address is only partially visible.
Usage
Type the ellipses as three periods in a row (or Unicode character U2026) after the last letter shown.