# How to Get Current Date and Time in PostgreSQL

> PostgreSQL offers multiple functions to get the current date and time with or without the time zone, such as NOW(), CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, LOCALTIMESTAMP, etc.

PostgreSQL offers multiple methods to find the current date and time with or without the time zone. In PostgreSQL, the NOW() and CURRENT_TIMESTAMP functions are used to obtain the prevailing/current time, date, and time zone. To obtain the date and time without a time zone, the LOCALTIMESTAMP and the NOW() function(with special implementation) are used.

The CURRENT_TIME function and LOCALTIME function are used to attain the current time with or without a time zone.

This write-up will present a detailed understanding of the several functions to get the current date and time in PostgreSQL.

 **How to Get Present/Current Date and Time in PostgreSQL Using NOW() Function?**

In Postgres, the NOW() function is used to achieve the prevailing time, date, and time zone. Using the server database's time zone settings, it returns the current/up-to-date time and date. Following will be the syntax for the NOW() function:
    
    
    NOW();

PostgreSQL allows us to run the NOW() function either from SQL SHELL or from the pgADMIN.

 **Example #1: How to Use NOW() Function in Postgres?**

Let’s open the pgAdmin’s query tool and run the Postgres NOW() function to understand its working:
    
    
    SELECT NOW();

The output authenticates the working of the NOW() function, as it successfully returned the current time, date, and time zone.

 **Example #2: How to Skip the Time Zone Using NOW() Function in PostgreSQL?**

We have to cast the NOW() function explicitly to get the time and date without time zone restrictions. The below-given example will assist you in this regard:
    
    
    SELECT NOW()::TIMESTAMP;

The output shows that this time the NOW() function returns a timestamp without a time zone.

 **How to Use CURRENT_TIMESTAMP() Function in Postgres?**

In PostgreSQL, the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function is used to obtain the current/up-to-date time, date, and time zone.

 **Example: How Does the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP Function Work in PostgreSQL?**

Let’s consider the below snippet to get a profound understanding of the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP function:
    
    
    SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;

The output shows that the CURRENT_TIMESTAMP successfully returns the current date, time, and time zone.

 **How to Fetch Current Time Using CURRENT_TIME Function?**

In PostgreSQL, the CURRENT_TIME function is used to get the current time along with the time zone.

 **Example: How Does CURRENT_TIME Function Work in PostgreSQL?**

The example illustrated below will explain the working of the CURRENT_TIME function:
    
    
    SELECT CURRENT_TIME;

The output authenticates that the targeted function succeeded in returning the present time and time zone.

 **How to Obtain Current Date and Time Using LOCALTIMESTAMP Function?**

This function provides us the current date and time without time zone:

 **Example: How to Use LOCALTIMESTAMP Function in PostgreSQL?**

The below snippet will let you know the working of the LOCALTIMESTAMP function:
    
    
    SELECT LOCALTIMESTAMP;

The output proves that the LOCALTIMESTAMP returns the current date and time without a time zone.

 **How to Get Present/Current Time Using LOCALTIME Function?**

In Postgres, the LOCALTIME function doesn’t return a time zone. Instead, it returns only the current time.

 **Example: How to Use LOCALTIME Function in PostgreSQL?**

The below-given piece of code will return the up-to-date/current time:
    
    
    SELECT LOCALTIME;

Output shows that the LOCALTIME function returns the time only.

 **PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE Function**

In PostgreSQL, the CURRENT_DATE function can be used to retrieve the latest date.
    
    
    CURRENT_DATE;

 **Example #1: How Does the CURRENT_DATE Function Work in Postgres?**

Run the below command to retrieve the prevailing date:
    
    
    SELECT CURRENT_DATE;

The output shows that the CURRENT_DATE function successfully fetched the current date.

 **Example #2: How to Use the CURRENT_DATE Function on Table’s Data?**

Let’s say we have a table named bike_details in our database that contains the following data:

Let's suppose we want only those bikes whose launch date equals the current date. Let’s run the below-given query:
    
    
    SELECT * FROM bike_details WHERE (bike_launch_date = CURRENT_DATE);

The output shows that the result set contains only those bikes whose launch date is equal to the current date. This is how you can use the CURRENT_DATE function on a table.

 **Conclusion**

In Postgres, the NOW(), CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, and LOCALTIMESTAMP return the current time and date. The CURRENT_TIME function and LOCALTIME function are used to attain the latest time with or without a time zone. This write-up explained the usage of different date and time functions using some examples.

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