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Formatting Types
 Custom Date and Time Format Strings
This page is specific to
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008/.NET Framework 3.5

Other versions are also available for the following:
.NET Framework Developer's Guide
Custom Date and Time Format Strings

A custom date and time format string defines the text representation of a DateTime or DateTimeOffset value that is produced by a formatting operation. The custom format string consists of one or more custom date and time format specifiers. Any string that is not a standard date and time format string is interpreted as a custom date and time format string.

Note   Standard date and time format strings can be used with both DateTime and DateTimeOffset values.

The following table describes the custom date and time format specifiers. Unless otherwise noted, a particular custom date and time format specifier produces an identical string representation regardless of whether it is used with a DateTime value or a DateTimeOffset value.

Format specifier

Description

d

Represents the day of the month as a number from 1 through 31. A single-digit day is formatted without a leading zero. For more information about using a single custom format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers.

The following example includes the d custom format specifier in several format strings.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #08/29/2008 7:27:15PM#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("d, M", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)) 
' Displays 29, 8

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("d MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")))
' Displays 29 August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("d MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("es-MX")))
' Displays 29 agosto
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15); 

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("d, M", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)); 
// Displays 29, 8

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("d MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")));
// Displays 29 August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("d MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("es-MX")));
// Displays 29 agosto

dd

Represents the day of the month as a number from 01 through 31. A single-digit day is formatted with a leading zero. The following example includes the dd custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #1/2/2008 6:30:15AM#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dd, MM", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)) 
' 02, 01
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 2, 6, 30, 15);

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dd, MM", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)); 
// 02, 01

ddd

Represents the abbreviated name of the day of the week as defined in the current DateTimeFormatInfo..::.AbbreviatedDayNames property. The following example includes the ddd custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #08/29/2008 7:27:15PM#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")))
' Displays Fri 29 Aug
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("fr-FR")))
' Displays ven. 29 aot
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15);

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")));
// Displays Fri 29 Aug
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("fr-FR")));
// Displays ven. 29 aot

dddd (plus any number of additional d specifiers)

Represents the full name of the day of the week as defined in the current DateTimeFormatInfo..::.DayNames property. The following example includes the dddd custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #08/29/2008 7:27:15PM#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")))
' Displays Friday 29 August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("it-IT")))
' Displays venerd 29 agosto
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15);

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")));
// Displays Friday 29 August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("it-IT")));
// Displays venerd 29 agosto

f

Represents the most significant digit of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the tenths of a second in a date and time value.

If the f format specifier is used without other format specifiers, it is interpreted as the f standard date and time format specifier. For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers.

When used as part of a format string supplied to the ParseExact, TryParseExact, ParseExact, or TryParseExact methods, the number of f format specifiers used indicates the number of most significant digits of the seconds fraction that must be present to successfully parse the string.

The following example includes the f custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As New Date(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 018)
Dim ci As CultureInfo = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 18);
CultureInfo ci = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018

ff

Represents the two most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the hundredths of a second in a date and time value. The following example includes the ff custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As New Date(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 018)
Dim ci As CultureInfo = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 18);
CultureInfo ci = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018

fff

Represents the three most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the milliseconds in a date and time value. The following example includes the fff custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As New Date(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 018)
Dim ci As CultureInfo = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 18);
CultureInfo ci = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018

ffff

Represents the four most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the ten thousandths of a second in a date and time value.

While it is possible to display the ten thousandths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

fffff

Represents the five most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the hundred thousandths of a second in a date and time value.

While it is possible to display the hundred thousandths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

ffffff

Represents the six most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the millionths of a second in a date and time value.

While it is possible to display the millionths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

fffffff

Represents the seven most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the ten millionths of a second in a date and time value.

While it is possible to display the ten millionths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

F

Represents the most significant digit of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the tenths of a second in a date and time value. Nothing is displayed if the digit is zero.

If the F format specifier is used without other format specifiers, it is interpreted as the F standard date and time format specifier. For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers.

The number of F format specifiers used with the ParseExact, TryParseExact, ParseExact, or TryParseExact methods indicates the maximum number of most significant digits of the seconds fraction that can be present to successfully parse the string.

The following example includes the F custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As New Date(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 018)
Dim ci As CultureInfo = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 18);
CultureInfo ci = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018

FF

Represents the two most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the hundredths of a second in a date and time value. However, trailing zeros or two zero digits are not displayed. The following example includes the FF custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As New Date(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 018)
Dim ci As CultureInfo = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 18);
CultureInfo ci = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018

FFF

Represents the three most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the milliseconds in a date and time value. However, trailing zeros or three zero digits are not displayed. The following example includes the FFF custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As New Date(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 018)
Dim ci As CultureInfo = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci))
' Displays 07:27:15.018
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15, 18);
CultureInfo ci = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.f", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.0
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.F", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.01
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.fff", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FFF", ci));
// Displays 07:27:15.018

FFFF

Represents the four most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the ten thousandths of a second in a date and time value. However, trailing zeros or four zero digits are not displayed.

While it is possible to display the ten thousandths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

FFFFF

Represents the five most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the hundred thousandths of a second in a date and time value. However, trailing zeros or five zero digits are not displayed.

While it is possible to display the hundred thousandths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

FFFFFF

Represents the six most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the millionths of a second in a date and time value. However, trailing zeros or six zero digits are not displayed.

While it is possible to display the millionths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

FFFFFFF

Represents the seven most significant digits of the seconds fraction; that is, it represents the ten millionths of a second in a date and time value. However, trailing zeros or seven zero digits are not displayed.

While it is possible to display the ten millionths of a second component of a time value, that value may not be meaningful. The precision of date and time values depends on the resolution of the system clock. On Windows NT 3.5 and later, and Windows Vista operating systems, the clock's resolution is approximately 10-15 milliseconds.

g, gg (plus any number of additional g specifiers)

Represents the period or era, for example, A.D. Formatting ignores this specifier if the date to be formatted does not have an associated period or era string. For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers.

The following example includes the g custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #08/04/0070#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy g", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 08/04/0070 A.D.                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy g", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("fr-FR")))                         
' Displays 08/04/0070 ap. J.-C.
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(70, 08, 04);

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy g", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 08/04/0070 A.D.                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy g", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("fr-FR")));                         
// Displays 08/04/0070 ap. J.-C.

h

Represents the hour as a number from 1 through 12, that is, the hour as represented by a 12-hour clock that counts the whole hours since midnight or noon. A particular hour after midnight is indistinguishable from the same hour after noon. The hour is not rounded, and a single-digit hour is formatted without a leading zero. For example, given a time of 5:43, this custom format specifier displays "5". For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers.

The following example includes the h custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date 
date1 = #6:09:01PM#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 6:9:1 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")))
' Displays 6:9:1                         
date1 = New Date(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500)
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 6:9:1.5 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")))
' Displays 6:9:1.5
C#
DateTime date1; 
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 6:9:1 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")));
// Displays 6:9:1                         
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 6:9:1.5 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")));
// Displays 6:9:1.5

hh, hh (plus any number of additional h specifiers)

Represents the hour as a number from 01 through 12, that is, the hour as represented by a 12-hour clock that counts the whole hours since midnight or noon. A particular hour after midnight is indistinguishable from the same hour after noon. The hour is not rounded, and a single-digit hour is formatted with a leading zero. For example, given a time of 5:43, this format specifier displays "05".

The following example includes the hh custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date 
date1 = #6:09:01PM#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 06:09:01 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")))
' Displays 06:09:01 du.
date1 = New Date(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500)
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 06:09:01.50 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")))
' Displays 06:09:01.50 du.
C#
DateTime date1; 
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 06:09:01 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")));
// Displays 06:09:01 du.
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 06:09:01.50 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")));
// Displays 06:09:01.50 du.

H

Represents the hour as a number from 0 through 23, that is, the hour as represented by a zero-based 24-hour clock that counts the hours since midnight. A single-digit hour is formatted without a leading zero.

For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers.

The following example includes the H custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #6:09:01AM#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("H:mm:ss", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 6:09:01
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 6, 9, 1);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("H:mm:ss", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 6:09:01

HH, HH (plus any number of additional H specifiers)

Represents the hour as a number from 00 through 23, that is, the hour as represented by a zero-based 24-hour clock that counts the hours since midnight. A single-digit hour is formatted with a leading zero. The following example includes the HH custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #6:09:01AM#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("HH:mm:ss", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 06:09:01
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 6, 9, 1);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("HH:mm:ss", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 06:09:01

K

Represents the time zone information of a date and time value. When used with DateTime values, the result string is defined by the value of the DateTime..::.Kind property. For the local time zone (a DateTime..::.Kind property value of DateTimeKind..::.Local), this specifier is equivalent to the zzz specifier and produces a result string containing the local offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); for example, "-07:00". For a Utc time (a DateTime..::.Kind property value of DateTimeKind..::.Utc), the result string includes a "Z" character to represent a UTC date. For a time from an unspecified time zone (a time whose DateTime..::.Kind property equals DateTimeKind..::.Unspecified, the result is equivalent to String..::.Empty. For DateTimeOffset values, the K format specifier is equivalent to the zz format specifier, and produces a result string containing the DateTimeOffset value's offset from UTC.

For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers.

The following example displays the string that results from using the K custom format specifier with various DateTime and DateTimeOffset values on a system in the U.S. Pacific Standard Time zone.

Visual Basic
Console.WriteLine(Date.Now.ToString("%K"))
' Displays -07:00
Console.WriteLine(Date.UtcNow.ToString("%K"))
' Displays Z      
Console.WriteLine("'{0}'", _
                  Date.SpecifyKind(Date.Now, _
                                   DateTimeKind.Unspecified). _
                  ToString("%K"))
' Displays ''      
Console.WriteLine(DateTimeOffset.Now.ToString("%K"))
' Displays -07:00
Console.WriteLine(DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToString("%K"))
' Displays +00:00
Console.WriteLine(New DateTimeOffset(2008, 5, 1, 6, 30, 0, _
                                     New TimeSpan(5, 0, 0)). _
                  ToString("%K"))
' Displays +05:00
C#
Console.WriteLine(DateTime.Now.ToString("%K"));
// Displays -07:00
Console.WriteLine(DateTime.UtcNow.ToString("%K"));
// Displays Z      
Console.WriteLine("'{0}'", 
                  DateTime.SpecifyKind(DateTime.Now, 
                       DateTimeKind.Unspecified).ToString("%K"));
// Displays ''      
Console.WriteLine(DateTimeOffset.Now.ToString("%K"));
// Displays -07:00
Console.WriteLine(DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToString("%K"));
// Displays +00:00
Console.WriteLine(new DateTimeOffset(2008, 5, 1, 6, 30, 0, 
                      new TimeSpan(5, 0, 0)).ToString("%K"));
// Displays +05:00

m

Represents the minute as a number from 0 through 59. The minute represents whole minutes that have passed since the last hour. A single-digit minute is formatted without a leading zero. For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers. The following example includes the m custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date 
date1 = #6:09:01PM#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 6:9:1 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")))
' Displays 6:9:1                         
date1 = New Date(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500)
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 6:9:1.5 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")))
' Displays 6:9:1.5
C#
DateTime date1; 
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 6:9:1 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")));
// Displays 6:9:1                         
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 6:9:1.5 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")));
// Displays 6:9:1.5

mm, mm (plus any number of additional m specifiers)

Represents the minute as a number from 00 through 59. The minute represents whole minutes that have passed since the last hour. A single-digit minute is formatted with a leading zero. The following example includes the mm custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date 
date1 = #6:09:01PM#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 06:09:01 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")))
' Displays 06:09:01 du.
date1 = New Date(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500)
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 06:09:01.50 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")))
' Displays 06:09:01.50 du.
C#
DateTime date1; 
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 06:09:01 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.FF tt", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")));
// Displays 06:09:01 du.
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 06:09:01.50 PM                        
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("hh:mm:ss.ff tt", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("hu-HU")));
// Displays 06:09:01.50 du.

M

Represents the month as a number from 1 through 12. A single-digit month is formatted without a leading zero. For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers. The following example includes the M custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #8/18/2008#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("(M) MMM, MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")))
' Displays (8) Aug, August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("(M) MMM, MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("nl-NL")))                        
' Displays (8) aug, augustus
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("(M) MMM, MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("lv-LV")))                        
' Displays (8) Aug, augusts
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 18);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("(M) MMM, MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")));
// Displays (8) Aug, August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("(M) MMM, MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("nl-NL")));                       
// Displays (8) aug, augustus
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("(M) MMM, MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("lv-LV")));                        
// Displays (8) Aug, augusts

MM

Represents the month as a number from 01 through 12. A single-digit month is formatted with a leading zero. The following example includes the MM custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #1/2/2008 6:30:15AM#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dd, MM", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)) 
' 02, 01
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 2, 6, 30, 15);

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dd, MM", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)); 
// 02, 01

MMM

Represents the abbreviated name of the month as defined in the current DateTimeFormatInfo..::.AbbreviatedMonthNames property. The following example includes the MMM custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #08/29/2008 7:27:15PM#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")))
' Displays Fri 29 Aug
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("fr-FR")))
' Displays ven. 29 aot
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15);

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")));
// Displays Fri 29 Aug
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("ddd d MMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("fr-FR")));
// Displays ven. 29 aot

MMMM

Represents the full name of the month as defined in the current DateTimeFormatInfo..::.MonthNames property. The following example includes the MMMM custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date = #08/29/2008 7:27:15PM#

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")))
' Displays Friday 29 August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("it-IT")))
' Displays venerd 29 agosto
C#
DateTime date1 = new DateTime(2008, 8, 29, 19, 27, 15);

Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-US")));
// Displays Friday 29 August
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("dddd dd MMMM", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("it-IT")));
// Displays venerd 29 agosto

s

Represents the seconds as a number from 0 through 59. The result represents whole seconds that have passed since the last minute. A single-digit second is formatted without a leading zero. For more information about using a single format specifier, see Using Single Custom Format Specifiers. The following example includes the s custom format specifier in a custom format string.

Visual Basic
Dim date1 As Date 
date1 = #6:09:01PM#
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 6:9:1 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")))
' Displays 6:9:1                         
date1 = New Date(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500)
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))
' Displays 6:9:1.5 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", _
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")))
' Displays 6:9:1.5
C#
DateTime date1; 
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 6:9:1 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("el-GR")));
// Displays 6:9:1                         
date1 = new DateTime(2008, 1, 1, 18, 9, 1, 500);
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString("h:m:s.F t", 
                  CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
// Displays 6:9:1.5 P
Console.WriteLine(date1.ToString(&quo