Show seconds (and more) in the menu bar clock — via Apple Support
Hidden settinglow riskmacOS 14 Sonoma and later
The menu bar clock can show seconds, flash the colon, switch to an analog face, or even speak the time on the hour. These live behind a small 'Clock Options' button that's easy to miss.
Takes effect right away
How to do it
- macOS 26 and later: System Settings > Menu Bar, then under Menu Bar Controls click Clock Options.
- macOS 14 and 15: System Settings > Control Center, then under Menu Bar Only click Clock Options.
- Turn on Display the time with seconds. Other options here: Flash the time separators, analog style, show the date and day of the week, and Announce the time.
Sources
- Change the menu bar clock format on Mac — by Apple Support
- Customize the menu bar on Mac (macOS Sonoma) — by Apple Support
- Source reviewed
- 2026-11-02
- Link checked
- 2026-11-02
- Tested hands-on
- Not by Oddbyte.Me
Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every macOS version, so keep the undo handy.