Change Region and Format in Ubuntu Linux
Regional formats in Ubuntu Linux control how your computer displays dates, times, numbers, and currency symbols based on where you live. These settings change details like showing dates as DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY or swapping a period for a comma in numbers.
You can adjust these options in the “Region & Language” settings menu to match your local customs and preferences.
Adjust your date, time, number, and currency display by opening Settings, clicking Region & Language, and selecting your desired region under Formats. Restart or log out for changes to take effect.
How to choose regions and formats in Ubuntu Linux
These regional preferences rely on the country and location configured during your initial Ubuntu installation. Changing your region ensures familiar formats, like the correct date display and currency symbols, for your area.
These settings are based on the country and region you configured in Ubuntu Linux.
Prerequisite for changing region and format in Ubuntu Linux
Take a moment to review your current system configuration before adjusting regional formats. This process ensures you understand potential impacts on your system's date, time, and currency displays.
After you’ve followed those steps, let’s dive into changing your device’s region and formats.
Most of Ubuntu's settings reside in one place. You can manage everything from system configurations to creating users and updating from the System Settings panel.
To access System Settings, open the Activities overview and begin typing Settings.
Alternatively, click the System menu at the top-right corner of the top bar on your desktop.
On the System menu, select Settings, as highlighted below.
Click the Region & Language tile in the Settings app to open the panel.
In the System Settings -> Region & Language settings pane, click on Formats to open the panel.
Under Common Formats, select the region and language that most closely matches the formats you want to use.
After selecting a region, the area to the right shows examples of how dates and other values will appear.
Restart or log out and back in to apply the changes.
That should do it! You can now close the Settings app.
Conclusion:
- Ubuntu Linux provides comprehensive support for configuring regions and formats to match the local customs and languages.
- Users can easily change their device's region and formats by accessing the System Settings panel according to their preferences.
- Following selecting a region and language, it is important to restart or log out and back in to apply the changes successfully.
How do I change the region in Ubuntu?
You can select a different time zone. For example, if you wanted to set your time zone to Anchorage, United States, you'd click on Anchorage, United States.
How to change region in Linux?
You can change your region in Linux using environment variables in the Terminal, which sets your preferred language and location for your current session.
How do I change the location on Ubuntu?
To check your current directory in the Terminal, run the pwd command to display your path.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
[…] time zone is a geographic region where the same standard time is used. Your device’s time and dates will be set based on your […]
[…] That said, Ubuntu Linux allows users to manually manage their system’s time zone. But, of course, when you manually change the system’s time zone, you must do it every time you change your region. […]