How to set date format in HTML date input tag?

html

responsive-design

javascript

best-practices

byAlex Kataev·Feb 21, 2025

HTML's <input type="date"> field inherently uses the YYYY-MM-DD format and custom formatting is not typically available through HTML alone. To shape the display according to your requirements, you can leverage JavaScript to tweak and show the date. Here's a handy, brief code snippet:

const formatDate = (input) => new Date(input.value).toLocaleDateString('en-GB'); // Secret agent: 'en-GB' format is DD/MM/YYYY
document.querySelector('input[type="date"]').onchange = (e) => console.log(formatDate(e.target)); // Spies the date changes, reports them to the console. Shhh!

Key thought: Utilize toLocaleDateString with your locale string to dictate the output format. However, remember, the date submitted to the server will stick to the standard YYYY-MM-DD format.

Improving UI with user-friendly date representation

You may not be allowed to change the built-in format of the <input type="date">, but you surely can spice up the user experience by displaying the date in a user-friendly format:

Use a hidden date input to hold the actual date value while placing a text input field that showcases the date in the desired format.
Toss in a button adjacent to the text input to launch the native date picker.
Employ JavaScript to freshen up the text input with the reformatted date once a date has been selected.

Tailoring to international audience

Considering the locale of your user base makes for a globally friendly application. Cater to broader user groups by formatting the date to match their regional preferences:

Identify the user's locale: Grab the user's locale setting using navigator.language and use it with toLocaleDateString. The date format will be instantly recognizable to the user.
Roll out backup plan: Have a flexible format that can serve the majority, or prompt users to pick their desired format when locale detection bites the dust.

Tackling browser compatibility and validation

Temporal handling calls for browser compatibility:

Verify your date handling logic across diverse browsers
Use the pattern attribute on text inputs for validation but leave display formatting to JavaScript.

Summoning external libraries

Advanced manipulation might require some backup:

Utilize jQuery DatePicker or similar libraries for extensive functionalities such as localization and the power to micromanage format control.
If you want to steer clear from jQuery or other dependencies, your trusty vanilla JavaScript is more than enough for the job.

Intercepting user interaction for excellent experience

Reinventing a date input field involves not just tweaking the display but also fine-tuning user interaction:

Prop up a placeholder guiding the expected date format.
Employ event listeners such as onchange to react and reformat the date when the user selects it.
Employ UI elements such as icons and instructions that make the whole process feel intuitive and responsive.

Facilitating appealing UI

Use CSS to ensure your custom date input is aesthetically appealing and seamless with other form elements:

Style the text input to align with your theme and make it apparent that it's a date field.
Position the trigger button for the date picker to be intuitive and align with user expectations.

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