{"id":4804,"date":"2019-05-30T13:08:48","date_gmt":"2019-05-30T07:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=4804"},"modified":"2026-11-02T12:51:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:21:36","slug":"python-date-time-strftime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/python-date-time-strftime\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Python DateTime and strftime() to Format Date and Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Post Date: May 30, 2019 Last Updated: November 02, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Python provides several built-in functions and modules to work with dates and times. The datetime<\/code> module helps developers retrieve the current date and time, extract individual date and time values, and format them according to specific requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before working with date and time functions, you need to import the required classes from the datetime<\/code> module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this tutorial, we will learn how to import the datetime<\/code> module, print the current date and time, retrieve the day of the week, and format date and time values using the strftime()<\/code> method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before getting started, you should have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Basic knowledge of Python programming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Python installed on your system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A code editor or Python IDE.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Basic understanding of Python functions and modules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Implementation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Import the DateTime Module<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Python provides the datetime<\/code> module to work with dates and times. You can import individual classes depending on your requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Import the date class:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
from datetime import date<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The date<\/code> class is used to work with dates, including the year, month, and day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Import the time class:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
from datetime import time<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The time<\/code> class is used to work with time values, including hours, minutes, seconds, and microseconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Import the datetime class:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
from datetime import datetime<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The datetime<\/code> class combines date and time information and provides methods to retrieve the current date and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Print Date and Time Using datetime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The datetime.now()<\/code> method returns the current local date and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the following example, we use the datetime<\/code> module to retrieve the current date, current time, and day of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Complete Python Code:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nfrom datetime import datetime\n\ndef main():\n\n # Print today's date and time\n todaydate = datetime.now()\n print(todaydate)\n\n # Get the current time\n current_time = datetime.now().time()\n print(\"The current time is\", current_time)\n\n # Get the weekday number\n wd = todaydate.weekday()\n\n # Monday = 0 and Sunday = 6\n days = [\n \"Monday\",\n \"Tuesday\",\n \"Wednesday\",\n \"Thursday\",\n \"Friday\",\n \"Saturday\",\n \"Sunday\"\n ]\n\n print(\"Today is day number %d\" % wd)\n print(\"Which is a \" + days[wd])\n\n\nif __name__ == \"__main__\":\n main()\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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datetime.now()<\/code> retrieves the current local date and time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
datetime.now().time()<\/code> extracts the current time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
todaydate.weekday()<\/code> returns the weekday number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The weekday numbering starts with Monday as 0<\/code> and ends with Sunday as 6<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The days<\/code> list contains the weekday names, which are accessed using the returned weekday number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The if __name__ == \"__main__\":<\/code> statement ensures that the main()<\/code> function runs when the script is executed directly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Output:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The output displays the current date, current time, and corresponding weekday. The exact values depend on when you execute the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"Python](\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/image-18.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Python](\"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/image-19.png\")
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