Footer Timezone Display

Always know what time WordPress thinks it is. This module displays the current server time and timezone in the admin footer—essential for scheduling posts, coordinating teams across time zones, and verifying timezone settings.

Use Cases

  • Coordinate scheduled posts across a global team spanning 5 timezones
  • Verify you’re scheduling content in the correct timezone for international audiences
  • Check server timezone after migrating to a new host

How It Works

  1. Enable the module in Switchboard
  2. A timestamp appears in the admin footer on every page
  3. Shows current time plus timezone identifier
  4. Updates on each page load

Display Format

The footer shows:

🕐 2024-12-01 14:30:45 (America/New_York)

Or with UTC offset:

🕐 2024-12-01 14:30:45 (UTC-5)

Settings

This module has no configuration options. Enable it to display the timezone in the footer.

Where It Appears

The timezone displays:

  • In the admin footer (bottom of every admin page)
  • To the right of the default footer text
  • Separated by a subtle border line

Verification

After enabling this module:

  1. Scroll to the bottom of any admin page
  2. Look for the clock icon (🕐) and timestamp
  3. Verify the timezone matches your WordPress settings
  4. Compare with your local time to confirm accuracy

FAQ

Where does WordPress get its timezone?WordPress uses the timezone set in Settings → General → Timezone. This module displays that configured timezone, not your browser’s local time.
Why doesn’t the time update live?The timestamp shows the time when the page loaded. Refresh the page to see the current time. Live updating would add unnecessary JavaScript overhead.
Can I change the time format?The format (Y-m-d H:i:s) is fixed for consistency and clarity. To change it, you’d need custom code modifications.
Why does it show UTC+X instead of a city?If your WordPress timezone is set to a manual UTC offset rather than a city/region, it displays the offset. For city names, set your timezone to a specific region in Settings → General.
Does this affect post scheduling?No, this is display-only. Post scheduling uses WordPress’s timezone setting. This module just helps you see what that setting is.

Set your WordPress timezone to a specific region (like “America/New_York”) rather than a UTC offset. This ensures automatic daylight saving time adjustments.

Why This Matters

Global Team Coordination

When your content team spans multiple time zones, everyone needs to know what “server time” means. Schedule a post for 9 AM—but 9 AM where? This footer tells you instantly.

Migration Verification

After moving hosts, timezone settings can change unexpectedly. A quick glance at the footer confirms your cron jobs and scheduled posts will run at the expected times.

Client Scheduling

When scheduling content for clients in different time zones, this footer helps you convert times correctly without leaving the admin.

To change your WordPress timezone:

  1. Go to Settings → General
  2. Find the Timezone dropdown
  3. Select your region or UTC offset
  4. Save Changes

The footer display will immediately reflect the new timezone.

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