What's the difference between "现在几点" and "现在几点了”
了 http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/characters/460/
[2] [final particle] indicating change of situation


&quot;现在是下午五點&quot; = &quot;It is 5:00 pm now.&quot;

&quot;现在是下午五點(了)&quot; = &quot;It is 5:00pm now&quot; (final particle 了 indicates 'the current time has reached 5:00pm'. Situation changed from 'not yet 5:00pm' to 'is 5:00pm' )


Similarly:

&quot;现在几点？&quot; = &quot;What time is it now?&quot;

&quot;现在几点了？&quot; = &quot;What time is it now?&quot; (final particle 了 indicates 'what time the current time has reached'. Situation changed from 'not yet the current time' to 'is the current time' )


The final particle 了 is mostly used to soften the tone of a sentence to make it less blunt. Also it formally indicates the sentence is 'completed' (that's why it is called 'final particle').