How to Show Weekday on Ubuntu Top Menu Bar

This guide shows you how to add the day of the week to the top menu bar on your Ubuntu Linux desktop. By default, Ubuntu only shows the time. Seeing the day of the week helps you stay organized without clicking on the clock.

Why: You might want to see the date and day at a glance to manage your schedule better. What happens: Once you finish these steps, the day of the week will appear right next to your clock on the top bar.

Pro Tip

If you want to customize your date and time format further—such as adding seconds or changing how the date looks—consider using GNOME Extensions. These are small apps that add extra features to your desktop interface.

Show the day of the week using GNOME Settings

The safest and easiest way to change this is through your system settings. This is the preferred method for all users.

1. Open your Settings app from the app menu.
2. Click on the Date & Time tab in the sidebar.
3. Look for the Clock section.
4. Toggle the switch for Weekday to the On position.

You can also display the current weather forecast of their city if you want to see weather updates alongside your clock.

Show the day of the week using Terminal

If you prefer using the keyboard, you can use the Terminal as an advanced alternative.

1. Press CTRL + ALT + T to open the Terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface clock-show-weekday true

To turn it off later, use this command:
gsettings reset org.gnome.desktop.interface clock-show-weekday

Show weekday on the top menu bar using the Dconf Editor

Disclaimer: Dconf Editor is an advanced tool. It allows you to change internal settings that can affect system stability if modified incorrectly. We recommend using the native Settings menu whenever possible.

If you are familiar with Windows, you might know about the Windows Registry Editor. Dconf Editor acts similarly for Ubuntu by letting you change hidden system settings.

How to add or remove software on Ubuntu Linux

You may need to install the Dconf Editor first. You can install it using the App Center on your desktop, or run this command in your Terminal:

sudo apt install dconf-editor

Once installed, open Dconf Editor and follow these steps:

• Navigate to: org > gnome > desktop > interface
• Find clock-show-weekday in the list.
• Toggle the switch to On.

Once enabled, the day of the week will appear on your top bar.

Adding the day of the week makes your desktop more useful. Whether you use the Settings app or the advanced tools, you can easily personalize your Ubuntu experience.