Date in a Letter – How to add & Position of Date | DD MM YYYY Format Examples

Adding a date in a letter is the most important task in letter writing. There are various formats of dates to write in a letter. In this article, we explain How to add a Date in a Letter, the correct position of date in a letter, and other Date Format Tips.

How to Write Date in A Letter

Follow the UK/US pattern of day/month/year or the pattern followed in many other countries; month/day/year. Style dictates spelling out the month.

• January 1, 2005 (or) Jan 1, 2005

• 1 January 2005  (or) 1/2/05

You can see that we can put either the date first or the month; both ways are acceptable. In India, we usually give the date in the order – day/month/year. However, Americans usually prefer the order – month/day/year. This difference could give rise to a problem.For example, you write a letter to an American on 2.1.2005. He might think the letter to be written on the first of February rather than the second of January. To avoid such confusion, you can use words instead of only numbers. It is better to spell the name of the month.

Position of the Date

You can add Date on the Right side or Left but should be in Top Position very near to the TO or Heading of the Letter. It is okay to use both Right & Left alignments for Date on a Letter. 

British Date Format in Letter

This is a very well-known & most used Date format in the world. European countries, South America, Africa, Asia, Mexico, Oceania, and Central America (besides Belize), use the day-month-year(DD MM YYYY) format.

• 1 January 2014

• 1st January 2014

• 1st Jan 2014

• 1 Jan 2014

American Date Format in Letter

• January 1, 2014
• Jan 1, 2014

Avoid following formats of date while writing a letter.

How to add & Position of Date

The date in a letter is an important element that helps establish the timeline of the correspondence. Here’s how to add and position the date in a letter:

1. Format: Start by placing the date at the top right or left corner of the letter, depending on your preference. It is typically aligned with the recipient’s address or just below your own address.
2. Full Date: Write the full date in a formal format, including the day, month, and year. For example: July 15, 2023.
3. Month: Write the month in full, starting with a capital letter. Avoid using abbreviations to ensure clarity and professionalism.
4. Commas: Use a comma after the day and after the year. For example: July 15, 2023.
5. Consistency: Maintain consistency in the date format throughout the letter. If you choose to write the date as “15th July 2023,” ensure that this format is used consistently.
6. International Format: If you are writing a letter for international recipients or following a specific international format, consider using a different date format, such as “15 July 2023” or “July 15th, 2023.” Ensure that the format aligns with the recipient’s country conventions.

Remember, the date is an essential part of a letter as it provides a reference point for the recipient and helps track the timeline of the communication. By adding the date in a clear and consistent manner, you ensure professionalism and clarity in your correspondence.