The FORMAT() function is one of the String Function, which is used to format the specified value in the given format.

Syntax :

FORMAT(value, format, culture)  

Parameter : This method accepts three-parameters as mentioned above and described below :

• value : It is an expression of a supported data type to format.
• format : It is the required format in which we require the output.
• culture : This optional parameter specifies a culture.

Returns : It returns a value formatted with the specified format and optional culture.

Example-1 : Format a Number.

SELECT FORMAT(25, 'N')

Output :

25.00

Example-2 : Example of PERCENTAGE format.

SELECT FORMAT(1, 'P', 'en-US')AS [PERCENTAGE IN US FORMAT], 
    FORMAT(1, 'P', 'en-IN') AS [PERCENTAGE IN INDIA FORMAT];

Output :

Example-3 : Example of DATE format.

DECLARE @d DATETIME = GETDATE();  
SELECT FORMAT( @d, 'dd/MM/yyyy', 'en-US' ) AS 'DateTime Result'

Output :

Example-4 : Formatted current time with AM or PM.

SELECT FORMAT(SYSDATETIME(), N'hh:mm tt');

Output :

10:11 AM

Example-5 : Example of CURRENCY format.

SELECT 
    FORMAT(1, 'C', 'in-IN') AS 'INDIA', 
    FORMAT(1, 'C', 'ch-CH') AS 'CHINA', 
    FORMAT(1, 'C', 'sw-SW') AS 'SWITZERLAND', 
    FORMAT(1, 'C', 'us-US') AS 'USA';

Output :