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What is the correct date format in English? How you do this usually depends on whether you write a formal letter or an informal note, or whether your use the British or American date format. As you can see from the examples below, there are a number of ways in which you can write the same date. A general rule: the more complicated the style of date, the more formal it is. 

The date format in British English

In British English, which is the type of English mainly used in Australia, the day is followed by the month, which is then followed by the year. The 6th day of the month September, in the year 2019, might be written in full (in order of complexity): 

  • 6 Sept

  • 6 September 

  • 6 September 2019 

  • 6th September 2019 

  • the 6th of September 2019 

  • the 6th of September, 2019 

The last two date formats are more formal. The “the” and “of” are optional but if you do use them, you must add both “the” and “of.” It is incorrect to say only “6th of September” or “the 6th September.” 

As for the year, commas are not necessary when you write the date in British English, but you can if you prefer this style. 

If you wish to add the name of the day, it should come before the date, and should either be separated by a comma or joined by “the” and “of.” 

  • Saturday, 13 April 2019 

  • Saturday the 13th of April, 2019

How to write the date in numbers?

If you prefer to abbreviate the date, you can use the following style in British English. Again, the day comes first, then the month, then the year. 

  • 6/9/19 or 6.9.19 or 6-9-19 

  • 06/09/2019 or 06.09.2019 or 06-09-2019 

  • 9Sept2019 or 6-Sept-19 

The most commonly used separator in the all-numeric date format is a forward slash (/). However, you can also use a hyphen (-) or a period (.). 

The date format in American English

When you prefer to write the date in American English, usually the month comes before the day, followed by the year. If we use the same example as before: The 6th day of the month September, in the year 2019, then the date in American English should be written as: 

  • Sept 6 

  • September 6 

  • September 6, 2019 

  • Monday, September 6, 2019 

Dates written as April the 13th or April 13th are not incorrect, but are less common in American English. 

How to write the date in numbers?

In American English, if you want to write the date in all-numeric, you will need to use the following style. Here, too, the month comes first, then the day, then the year. 

  • 04/13/19 or 04.13.19 or 04-13-19 

  • 04/13/2019 or 04.13.2019 or 04-13-2019 

  • Apr. 13, 2019