« Previous
Next Chapter »
The PHP date function is used to format a time and/or date.
The PHP Date Function
The PHP date function formats a timestamp to a more readable date and time.
A timestamp is a sequence of characters, denoting the date and/or time at which a certain event occurred.
Syntax
date(format,timestamp)
Parameter Description
format Required. Specifies the format of the timestamp
timestamp Optional. Specifies a timestamp. Default is the current date and time
PHP Date Format the Date
The required format parameter in the date function specifies how to format the date/time.
Here are some characters that can be used:
• d Represents the day of the month (01 to 31)
• m Represents a month (01 to 12)
• Y Represents a year (in four digits)
A list of all the characters that can be used in the format parameter, can be found in our PHP Date reference.
Other characters, like or " " can also be inserted between the letters to add additional formatting:
<?php
echo date("Y/m/d") . "<br
echo date("Y.m.d") . "<br
echo date("Y-m-d");
?>
The output of the code above could be something like this:
2009/05/11
2009.05.11
2009-05-11
PHP Date Adding a Timestamp
The optional timestamp parameter in the date function specifies a timestamp. If you do not specify a timestamp, the current date and time will be used.
The mktime function returns the Unix timestamp for a date.
The Unix timestamp contains the number of seconds between the Unix Epoch (January 1 1970 00:00:00 GMT) and the time specified.
Syntax for mktime mktime(hour,minute,second,month,day,year,is_dst)
To go one day in the future we simply add one to the day argument of mktime :
<?php
$tomorrow = mktime(0,0,0,date("m"),date("d")+1,date("Y
echo "Tomorrow is ".date("Y/m/d", $tomorrow);
?>
The output of the code above could be something like this:
Tomorrow is 2009/05/12
Complete PHP Date Reference
For a complete reference of all date functions, go to our complete PHP Date Reference.
The reference contains a brief description, and examples of use, for each function!
« Previous
Next Chapter »
WEB HOSTING
WEB BUILDING
W3SCHOOLS EXAMS
Get Certified in:
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML,
PHP, and ASP
W3SCHOOLS BOOKS
New Books:
HTML, CSS
JavaScript, and Ajax
STATISTICS
Browser Statistics
Browser OS
Browser Display
SHARE THIS PAGE
Share with »
REPORT ERROR HOME TOP PRINT FORUM ABOUT
W3Schools is optimized for learning, testing, and training. Examples might be simplified to improve reading and basic understanding.
Tutorials, references, and examples are constantly reviewed to avoid errors, but we cannot warrant full correctness of all content.
While using this site, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use and privacy policy.