# How to Format a TIMESTAMP in PostgreSQL

> To format a timestamp, specify a timestamp and a valid format as arguments to the Postgres TO_CHAR() function.

PostgreSQL supports various built-in functions to deal with the timestamp values efficiently, such as CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, TO_TIMESTAMP(), DATE_PART(), etc. The **TO_CHAR()** is one of the data type formatting functions that assist us in converting/formatting the data from one type to another.

This post demonstrates how to utilize the TO_CHAR() function to format a timestamp in Postgres.

 **How Do I Format a TIMESTAMP in Postgres?**

To format a timestamp, specify a timestamp and a valid format as arguments to the TO_CHAR() function:
    
    
    TO_CHAR(TIMESTAMP, format);

The return type of the stated function is “TEXT”. Visit the [official Postgres documentation](<https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/functions-formatting.html#FUNCTIONS-FORMATTING-DATETIME-TABLE>) to see the valid formats for the TO_CHAR() function.

 **Example 1: Formatting a Timestamp in Postgres**

The following example explains how to format a timestamp in Postgres via the TO_CHAR() function:
    
    
    SELECT TO_CHAR(TIMESTAMP '2001-01-01 5:55:55', 'YYYY/MM/DD HH:MI:SS');

The given timestamp has been successfully formatted to a specific format.

 **Example 2: Formatting Current Timestamp in Postgres**

To format the current timestamp, specify the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP and a particular format to the TO_CHAR() function:
    
    
    SELECT TO_CHAR(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, 'YYYY/MM/DD HH:MI:SS');

The current timestamp has been successfully converted to the specified format.

 **Example 3: Formatting Current Timestamp into 'DAY, DD MONTH YYYY HH:MM:SS' Format**

In the following snippet, the current timestamp is formatted into the “DAY, DD MONTH YYYY HH:MM:SS” format:
    
    
    SELECT to_char(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, 'DAY, DD MONTH YYYY HH:MM:SS');

The current timestamp has been successfully formatted into the specified format.

 **Example 4: Formatting Current Timestamp to a Date in Postgres**

Use the TO_CHAR() function with the “::” operator followed by the “DATE” data type to format a given timestamp to a date:
    
    
    SELECT TO_CHAR(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP:: DATE, 'MON DD, YYYY');

The current timestamp has been successfully formatted into the given format.

 **Example 5: Formatting Current Timestamp to Current Time in Postgres**

In the below snippet, the TO_CHAR() function is utilized to format the current timestamp into the current time:
    
    
    SELECT TO_CHAR(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP:: TIME, 'HH:MM:SS');

The current timestamp has been successfully converted into the current time.

That’s all from this Postgres post.

 **Conclusion**

To format a timestamp, specify a timestamp and a valid format as arguments to the Postgres TO_CHAR() function. To format the current timestamp, specify the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP and a particular format to the TO_CHAR() function. Use the TO_CHAR() function with the “::” operator followed by the “DATE” data type to format the given timestamp to date. This write-up presented a detailed guide on getting a timestamp into a specific format using the Postgres TO_CHAR() function.

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