LocalTime format() method in Java with Examples

Namachila November 3, 2025

0 2 1 minute read

The format() method of a LocalTime class is used to format this time using the specified formatter passed as a parameter. This method formats this time based on passed formatter to a string.

Syntax:

public String format(DateTimeFormatter formatter)

Parameters: This method accepts a single parameter formatter which is the specified formatter. It should not be null.

Return value: This method returns the formatted time string.

Exception: This method throws a DateTimeException if an error occurs during printing.

Below programs illustrate the format() method:

Program 1:

// Java program to demonstrate
// LocalTime.format() method
  
import java.time.*;
import java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter;
  
public class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
  
        // create a LocalTime Objects
        LocalTime time
            = LocalTime.parse("03:18:23");
  
        // create formatter Object
        DateTimeFormatter formatter
            = DateTimeFormatter.ISO_TIME;
  
        // apply format
        String value = time.format(formatter);
  
        // print result
        System.out.println("value : "
                           + value);
    }
}

Output:

value : 03:18:23

Program 2:

// Java program to demonstrate
// LocalTime.format() method
  
import java.time.*;
import java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter;
  
public class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
  
        // create a LocalTime Objects
        LocalTime time
            = LocalTime.parse("23:59:59");
  
        // create formatter Object for ISO_LOCAL_TIME
        DateTimeFormatter formatter
            = DateTimeFormatter.ISO_LOCAL_TIME;
  
        // apply format
        String value = time.format(formatter);
  
        // print result
        System.out.println("value : "
                           + value);
    }
}