Timestamp

A timestamp is a consistently formatted visual that displays date and time values.

Elements

Timestamp with tooltip underline
  1. Day: Spelled out or abbreviated format. See Numerics guidelines for more information.

  2. Date: Can be spelled out, abbreviated form, or digit format. See Numerics guidelines for more information.

  3. Time: Should be displayed in 12-hour or 24-hour ((HH:MM:SS). See Numerics guidelines for more information.

  4. UTC/Timezone: Should always be displayed last, in shorthand form and be in 24-hour format.

  5. Tooltip: Dotted line displayed if there is tooltip available.

Usage

When to use

Use a timestamp when:

  • You want to represent the exact date and time that an event occurred.
  • Users can go back and make use of past content.

Best practices

For timestamp

  • Depending on the context, show either date or time, or both date and time.
  • Locale should be appropriately set so that users see dates and times in a familiar format.
  • Timestamp at minimum should include date, time, and timezone (shorthand format).
  • Every element does not need to be used when implementing a timestamp.

For tooltip

  • Not required but recommended to provide more precise time for relative times.
  • Tooltips should show timestamps in UTC time.
  • Recommend displaying time in 24-hour format.
  • Displays time in UTC (Universal Coordinated Time).
  • Should be formatted the same as the timestamp.

See numerics guidelines for more information about relative time best practices.

Variations

12-hour format

In the 12-hour format, use AM to refer to a time of day before noon, and PM to speak of a time between noon and midnight.

Timestamp AM/PM format

24-hour format

In the 24-hour clock format, each day runs from midnight to midnight and is divided into 24 hours, beginning with 00:00 AM at midnight.

Timestamp with 24 hour format

Abbreviated date

Abbreviated date usage is recommended when you have space restrictions. When abbreviating dates follow the date and time format.

Timestamp with abbreviated date format