How to Display Seconds on Ubuntu Top Menu Clock

This article explains the steps to display seconds on the clock on the Top menu bar on an Ubuntu Linux desktop.

Ubuntu Linux default displays the system time in a 24-hour or military time format on the top menu bar. Therefore, the only information on the top menu bar is the clock, which does not show seconds.

Not only can you display the clock, but you can also choose the day of the week on the top menu bar.

So, you can display the clock in military format, show the day of the week, and also show seconds with the clock on the top bar, and the steps below will show you.

Show seconds with the clock on the top menu bar on Ubuntu Linux

As described above, users can change the system clock format and display the day of the week on the top menu bar to get information quickly.

Here’s how to display seconds with the clock on the top menu bar.

First, open the Terminal app in Ubuntu Linux.

You can do that by pressing the Super key (or Windows key) to show the Overview screen. Then, use the search box to search for ‘Terminal. ‘

Select the Terminal app to launch.

Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut (CTRL + ALT + T) on your keyboard to launch the Terminal app.

When the Terminal app opens, type the commands below to display the days of the week on the top menu bar.

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface clock-show-seconds

Run the commands below to reverse and not show seconds with the clock.

gsettings reset org.gnome.desktop.interface clock-show-seconds

Show seconds with the clock on the top menu bar using the Dconf Editor

You can also use Dconf Editor to make typical system changes if you can’t use the command Terminal app.

If you are familiar with Windows, you know about Windows Registry Editor.

Ubuntu Linux doesn’t have a registry database to configure hidden system settings. Howerver, Ubuntu Linux uses the Dconf Editor tool to change low-level system configurations and settings.

You can call it a Ubuntu Linux Registry Editor because it provides similar functionality without a massive Windows system database.

To use Dconf Editor, you must first install it since it doesn’t come with Ubuntu Linux.

Read the post below to learn how to install software on Ubuntu Linux.

How to add or remove software on Ubuntu Linux

In the Ubuntu Software app, search for Dconf Editor to install.

After installing and launching the Dconf Editor app, navigate to the path below:

org -> gnome -> desktop -> interface -> clock-show-seconds

On the clock-show-seconds Dconf settings on the list, toggle the button to the On position to enable.

To disable it, toggle the button back to the Off position.

Once enabled, you should see the day of the week on the top bar, as highlighted below.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• The guide above provides clear steps to display seconds on the clock on the Top menu bar of an Ubuntu Linux desktop, enabling users to enhance the system time display with additional information.
• Users can follow the provided Terminal commands to show or hide the seconds with the clock on the top menu bar, allowing for customization based on individual preferences.
• The Dconf Editor tool is also outlined, offering an alternative method to configure the clock-show-second settings for those who prefer a graphical interface for system changes.
• By leveraging the instructions in this article, Ubuntu Linux users can efficiently modify their system’s top menu bar to display the time and day of the week and integrate seconds with the clock for a more comprehensive timekeeping experience.