MONTH pitfall 1: Returns a number 1-12?

Returns a number 1-12. To get the month name, use `TEXT(date, "mmmm")`.

MONTH pitfall 2: Coerces text dates if they're parseable in the spreadsheet's locale; otherwise returns #VALUE!?

Coerces text dates if they're parseable in the spreadsheet's locale; otherwise returns `#VALUE!`. Be wary of `"01/02/2026"` ambiguity (UK vs US).

Dateeasy

Returns the month component of a date as a number from 1 to 12.

Syntax

=MONTH(date)

Arguments

Argument	Description
date	The date to query.

Example

=MONTH("2026-05-07")

Paste this into Google Sheets to run it. The live playground on this site covers 24 of the 61 functions, and MONTH isn't one of them yet.

Returns a number 1-12. To get the month name, use TEXT(date, "mmmm").
Coerces text dates if they're parseable in the spreadsheet's locale; otherwise returns #VALUE!. Be wary of "01/02/2026" ambiguity (UK vs US).

Related formulas

Used by