diff --git a/packages/demo/src/content/components/format-date.mdx b/packages/demo/src/content/components/format-date.mdx
index f82eb53..c654c97 100644
--- a/packages/demo/src/content/components/format-date.mdx
+++ b/packages/demo/src/content/components/format-date.mdx
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ The <code>FormatDate</code> component renders a date as either **relative** time
 
 When showing relative time, a tooltip reveals the absolute time on hover or keyboard focus.
 
+If no date is provided (`null`, `undefined`, or an empty string), the component renders a `---` placeholder instead.
+
 ## Time zones
 
 Absolute time is formatted in **UTC by default**. To render in a different zone, pass a `timeZone` (e.g. `"America/New_York"`). Relative time reads the same everywhere.
@@ -108,14 +110,26 @@ For a short numeric date like `2026-06-09`, use numeric options. Digit _order_ i
 />
 ```
 
+## Empty state
+
+When `date` is missing — `null`, `undefined`, or an empty string — the component renders a `---` placeholder with an accessible "No date" label. This is distinct from passing a present-but-unparseable value (e.g. `"not-a-date"`), which renders `Invalid date`.
+
+<FormatDate date={null} />
+
+```tsx
+<FormatDate date={null} />
+<FormatDate date={undefined} />
+<FormatDate date="" />
+```
+
 ## Props
 
-| Name              | Description                                                             | Type                         | Default    | Required |
-| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------- | -------- |
-| `date`            | The date to display                                                     | `string`, `number`, `Date`   | —          | ✅       |
-| `displayAs`       | Render relative or absolute time                                        | `relative`, `absolute`       | `absolute` | ❌       |
-| `timeZone`        | Time zone used for absolute formatting                                  | `string`                     | `UTC`      | ❌       |
-| `locale`          | BCP 47 locale used for formatting                                       | `string`                     | `en-US`    | ❌       |
-| `tooltip`         | When relative, show a tooltip with the absolute time on hover/focus     | `boolean`                    | `true`     | ❌       |
-| `live`            | When relative, re-render on an interval so the value stays current      | `boolean`                    | `true`     | ❌       |
-| `absoluteOptions` | Override the `Intl.DateTimeFormat` options used for absolute formatting | `Intl.DateTimeFormatOptions` | —          | ❌       |
+| Name              | Description                                                             | Type                               | Default    | Required |
+| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ---------- | -------- |
+| `date`            | The date to display                                                     | `string`, `number`, `Date`, `null` | —          | ✅       |
+| `displayAs`       | Render relative or absolute time                                        | `relative`, `absolute`             | `absolute` | ❌       |
+| `timeZone`        | Time zone used for absolute formatting                                  | `string`                           | `UTC`      | ❌       |
+| `locale`          | BCP 47 locale used for formatting                                       | `string`                           | `en-US`    | ❌       |
+| `tooltip`         | When relative, show a tooltip with the absolute time on hover/focus     | `boolean`                          | `true`     | ❌       |
+| `live`            | When relative, re-render on an interval so the value stays current      | `boolean`                          | `true`     | ❌       |
+| `absoluteOptions` | Override the `Intl.DateTimeFormat` options used for absolute formatting | `Intl.DateTimeFormatOptions`       | —          | ❌       |
diff --git a/packages/ui/package.json b/packages/ui/package.json
index 611a454..2c35996 100644
--- a/packages/ui/package.json
+++ b/packages/ui/package.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "name": "@eqtylab/equality",
   "description": "EQTYLab's component and token-based design system",
   "homepage": "https://equality.eqtylab.io/",
-  "version": "2.1.2",
+  "version": "2.1.3",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
   "keywords": [
     "component library",
diff --git a/packages/ui/src/components/format-date/format-date.tsx b/packages/ui/src/components/format-date/format-date.tsx
index 0b286ab..d5296d1 100644
--- a/packages/ui/src/components/format-date/format-date.tsx
+++ b/packages/ui/src/components/format-date/format-date.tsx
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ export interface FormatDateProps extends Omit<
   React.TimeHTMLAttributes<HTMLTimeElement>,
   'dateTime' | 'children'
 > {
-  /** The date to display. Accepts an ISO 8601 string, epoch milliseconds, or a Date. */
-  date: string | number | Date;
+  /** The date to display. Accepts an ISO 8601 string, epoch milliseconds, or a Date. A missing value (null, undefined, or empty string) renders a placeholder. */
+  date: string | number | Date | null | undefined;
   /** Render relative ("2 weeks ago") or absolute ("Jun 9 2026, 18:42:03 UTC") time. */
   displayAs?: FormatDateDisplayMode;
   /** Time zone used for absolute formatting. Defaults to "UTC". */
@@ -58,7 +58,16 @@ const RELATIVE_DIVISIONS: { amount: number; unit: Intl.RelativeTimeFormatUnit }[
 // Re-render relative time so values like "Just now" stay accurate without busy-looping
 const LIVE_INTERVAL_MS = 30_000;
 
-// Parse any date-like input into a Date, or null if missing/invalid
+// Shown when no date is provided, as distinct from a date that fails to parse
+const NO_DATE_PLACEHOLDER = '---';
+
+// A missing value (null, undefined, or empty/whitespace string) is "no date",
+// as opposed to a present-but-unparseable value, which is "Invalid date"
+function isMissing(value: string | number | Date | null | undefined): value is null | undefined {
+  return value == null || (typeof value === 'string' && value.trim() === '');
+}
+
+// Parse any date-like input into a Date, or null if invalid
 function toDate(value: string | number | Date): Date | null {
   const date = value instanceof Date ? value : new Date(value);
   return Number.isNaN(date.getTime()) ? null : date;
@@ -98,7 +107,8 @@ function FormatDate({
   className,
   ...props
 }: FormatDateProps) {
-  const parsed = React.useMemo(() => toDate(date), [date]);
+  const missing = isMissing(date);
+  const parsed = React.useMemo(() => (isMissing(date) ? null : toDate(date)), [date]);
   const [now, setNow] = React.useState(() => new Date());
   const [mounted, setMounted] = React.useState(false);
 
@@ -112,11 +122,19 @@ function FormatDate({
     return () => clearInterval(id);
   }, [isRelative, live]);
 
+  if (missing) {
+    return (
+      <span className={cn(styles['format-date'], className)} aria-label="No date" {...props}>
+        {NO_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}
+      </span>
+    );
+  }
+
   if (!parsed) {
     return (
-      <time className={cn(styles['format-date'], className)} {...props}>
+      <span className={cn(styles['format-date'], className)} {...props}>
         Invalid date
-      </time>
+      </span>
     );
   }