SQL | Date Functions (Set-2)
Last Updated :
11 Jul, 2025
SQL Date Functions are powerful tools that allow users to manipulate, extract , and format date and time values within SQL databases. These functions simplify handling temporal data, making them indispensable for tasks like calculating intervals, extracting year or month values, and formatting dates for display.
In this article, we will explain these functions in detail, demonstrating their applications through practical examples using a sales table.
What are SQL Date Functions?
SQL Date Functions are built-in functions that help manipulate, extract, and format date and time values in SQL databases. These functions are useful for performing operations such as retrieving the current date, extracting specific parts of a date (e.g., year, month, or day), formatting dates, and calculating differences between dates. They are widely used in data analysis, reporting, and scheduling tasks within a database
Some SQL Date Functions
1. MICROSECOND()
This function retrieves the microsecond portion of a date or datetime value, making it useful for operations requiring precise time measurements.
Query:
SELECT MICROSECOND("2018-07-18 09:12:00.000345");
Output
345
2. MINUTE()
Returns the minute portion of a time or datetime value, which is helpful when analysing or filtering data based on time granularity.
Query:
SELECT MINUTE("2018-07-18 09:12:00");
Output
12
3. MONTH()
Extracts the month from a given date value. It is commonly used in reports to group or filter data by month.
Query:
SELECT MONTH ('2018/07/18')AS MONTH;
Output
7
4. MONTHNAME()
Returns the full name of the month for a given date, which is particularly useful in enhancing report readability.
Query:
SELECT MONTHNAME("2018/07/18");
Output
JULY
5. NOW()
Retrieves the current date and time from the server, often used for timestamping events or logging actions.
Query:
SELECT NOW();
Output
2018-07-18 09:14:32
6. PERIOD_ADD():
Adds a specified number of months to a period, making it useful for date calculations involving monthly intervals.
Query:
SELECT PERIOD_ADD(201803, 6);
Output
201809
7. PERIOD_DIFF()
Calculates the difference in months between two periods, aiding in financial or project duration analysis.
Query:
SELECT PERIOD_DIFF(201810, 201802);
Output
8
8. QUARTER()
Extracts the quarter (1–4) from a date, commonly used for quarterly reporting or grouping data by fiscal periods.
Query:
SELECT QUARTER("2018/07/18");
Output
3
9. SECOND()
Retrieves the second portion of a time value, useful for precision timing or interval measurements.
Syntax:
SELECT SECOND("09:14:00:00032");
Output:
0
10. SEC_TO_TIME()
Converts numeric seconds into a human-readable time format, aiding in scenarios like converting durations to time.
Query:
SELECT SEC_TO_TIME(1);
Output
00:00:01
11. STR_TO_DATE()
Converts a string into a date format as per the specified mask, enabling flexible parsing of date strings
Query:
SELECT STR_TO_DATE("JULY 18 2018", "%M %D %Y");
Output
0018-07-18
12. SUBDATE()
Subtracts a specified interval from a date, often used to calculate past dates or filter older records.
Query:
SELECT SUBDATE("2017-06-15", INTERVAL 10 DAY);
Output
2017-06-05
13. SUBTIME()
It returns a time/date time value after a certain time interval has been subtracted.
Query:
SELECT SUBDATE("2018/07/18", INTERVAL 10 DAY);
Output
2018-07-18 09:15:17.542768
14. SYSDATE()
Similar to NOW()
, it retrieves the current date and time but calculates it at the query execution time.
Query:
SELECT SYSDATE();
Output
2018-07-18 09:19:03
15. TIME()
Extracts the time portion from a datetime value, commonly used for operations focused solely on time.
Query:
SELECT TIME("09:16:10");
Output
09:16:10
16. TIME_FORMAT()
It formats the time as specified by a format mask.
Query:
SELECT TIME_FORMAT("09:16:10", "%H %I %S");
Output
09 09 10
17. TIME_TO_SEC()
It converts a time value into numeric seconds.
Query:
SELECT TIME_TO_SEC("09:16:10");
Output
33370
18. TIMEDIFF()
It returns the difference between two time/datetime values.
Query:
SELECT TIMEDIFF("09:16:10", "09:16:04");
Output
00:00:06
19. TIMESTAMP()
It converts an expression to a date time value and if specified adds an optional time interval to the value.
Query:
SELECT TIMESTAMP("2018-07-18", "09:16:10");
Output
2018-07-18 09:16:10
20. TO_DAYS()
Converts a date into numeric days since the base date (0), useful for date arithmetic.
Query:
SELECT TO_DAYS("2018-07-18");
Output
737258
21. WEEK()
Retrieves the week number (0–52) of a date, often used in weekly reporting or scheduling.
Query:
SELECT WEEK("2018-07-18");
Output
28
22. WEEKDAY()
Returns the weekday index (0–6) for a date, useful for grouping or filtering data by specific days.
Query:
SELECT WEEKDAY("2018-07-18");
Output
2
23. WEEKOFYEAR()
Retrieves the ISO week number (1–53) of the year for a date, aiding in global reporting standards.
Query:
SELECT WEEKOFYEAR("2018-07-18");
Output
29
24. YEAR()
Extracts the year portion of a date value, frequently used for grouping or filtering data by year.
Query:
SELECT YEAR("2018-07-18");
Output
2018
25. YEARWEEK()
Returns the year and week combined as a numeric value, aiding in chronological sorting or analysis.
Query:
SELECT YEARWEEK("2018-07-18");
Output
201828
Conclusion
SQL Date Functions offer a variety of ways to handle date and time data, making them essential for database manipulation and query optimization. By using these functions, developers can efficiently manage date-related tasks such as formatting, extracting components, and performing date-based calculations. Mastering these functions is important for building robust, data-driven applications and generating meaningful insights from temporal data.
Similar Reads
SQL Tutorial Structured Query Language (SQL) is the standard language used to interact with relational databases. Mainly used to manage data. Whether you want to create, delete, update or read data, SQL provides the structure and commands to perform these operations. Widely supported across various database syst
8 min read
Basics
What is SQL?Structured Query Language (SQL) is the standard language used to interact with relational databases. Allows users to store, retrieve, update, and manage data efficiently through simple commands. Known for its user-friendly syntax and powerful capabilities, SQL is widely used across industries.How Do
6 min read
SQL Data TypesSQL data types define the kind of data a column can store, dictating how the database manages and interacts with the data. Each data type in SQL specifies a set of allowed values, as well as the operations that can be performed on the values.SQL data types are broadly categorized into several groups
4 min read
SQL OperatorsSQL operators are symbols or keywords used to perform operations on data in SQL queries. These operations can include mathematical calculations, data comparisons, logical manipulations, other data-processing tasks. Operators help in filtering, calculating, and updating data in databases, making them
5 min read
SQL Commands | DDL, DQL, DML, DCL and TCL CommandsSQL commands are the fundamental building blocks for communicating with a database management system (DBMS). It is used to interact with the database with some operations. It is also used to perform specific tasks, functions, and queries of data. SQL can perform various tasks like creating a table,
7 min read
SQL Database OperationsSQL databases or relational databases are widely used for storing, managing and organizing structured data in a tabular format. These databases store data in tables consisting of rows and columns. SQL is the standard programming language used to interact with these databases. It enables users to cre
3 min read
SQL CREATE TABLEIn SQL, creating a table is one of the most essential tasks for structuring your database. The CREATE TABLE statement defines the structure of the database table, specifying column names, data types, and constraints such as PRIMARY KEY, NOT NULL, and CHECK. Mastering this statement is fundamental to
5 min read
Queries & Operations
SQL SELECT QueryThe SQL SELECT query is one of the most frequently used commands to retrieve data from a database. It allows users to access and extract specific records based on defined conditions, making it an essential tool for data management and analysis. In this article, we will learn about SQL SELECT stateme
4 min read
SQL INSERT INTO StatementThe SQL INSERT INTO statement is one of the most essential commands for adding new data into a database table. Whether you are working with customer records, product details or user information, understanding and mastering this command is important for effective database management. How SQL INSERT I
6 min read
SQL UPDATE StatementIn SQL, the UPDATE statement is used to modify existing records in a table. Whether you are updating a single record or multiple records at once, SQL provides the necessary functionality to make these changes. Whether you are working with a small dataset or handling large-scale databases, the UPDATE
6 min read
SQL DELETE StatementThe SQL DELETE statement is an essential command in SQL used to remove one or more rows from a database table. Unlike the DROP statement, which removes the entire table, the DELETE statement removes data (rows) from the table retaining only the table structure, constraints, and schema. Whether you n
4 min read
SQL | WHERE ClauseThe SQL WHERE clause allows filtering of records in queries. Whether you are retrieving data, updating records, or deleting entries from a database, the WHERE clause plays an important role in defining which rows will be affected by the query. Without WHERE clause, SQL queries would return all rows
4 min read
SQL | AliasesIn SQL, aliases are temporary names assigned to columns or tables for the duration of a query. They make the query more readable, especially when dealing with complex queries or large datasets. Aliases help simplify long column names, improve query clarity, and are particularly useful in queries inv
4 min read
SQL Joins & Functions
SQL Joins (Inner, Left, Right and Full Join)SQL joins are fundamental tools for combining data from multiple tables in relational databases. For example, consider two tables where one table (say Student) has student information with id as a key and other table (say Marks) has information about marks of every student id. Now to display the mar
4 min read
SQL CROSS JOINIn SQL, the CROSS JOIN is a unique join operation that returns the Cartesian product of two or more tables. This means it matches each row from the left table with every row from the right table, resulting in a combination of all possible pairs of records. In this article, we will learn the CROSS JO
3 min read
SQL | Date Functions (Set-1)SQL Date Functions are essential for managing and manipulating date and time values in SQL databases. They provide tools to perform operations such as calculating date differences, retrieving current dates and times and formatting dates. From tracking sales trends to calculating project deadlines, w
5 min read
SQL | String functionsSQL String Functions are powerful tools that allow us to manipulate, format, and extract specific parts of text data in our database. These functions are essential for tasks like cleaning up data, comparing strings, and combining text fields. Whether we're working with names, addresses, or any form
7 min read
Data Constraints & Aggregate Functions
SQL NOT NULL ConstraintIn SQL, constraints are used to enforce rules on data, ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of the data stored in a database. One of the most commonly used constraints is the NOT NULL constraint, which ensures that a column cannot have NULL values. This is important for maintaining data
3 min read
SQL PRIMARY KEY ConstraintThe PRIMARY KEY constraint in SQL is one of the most important constraints used to ensure data integrity in a database table. A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table, preventing duplicate or NULL values in the specified column(s). Understanding how to properly implement and use the
5 min read
SQL Count() FunctionIn the world of SQL, data analysis often requires us to get counts of rows or unique values. The COUNT() function is a powerful tool that helps us perform this task. Whether we are counting all rows in a table, counting rows based on a specific condition, or even counting unique values, the COUNT()
7 min read
SQL SUM() FunctionThe SUM() function in SQL is one of the most commonly used aggregate functions. It allows us to calculate the total sum of a numeric column, making it essential for reporting and data analysis tasks. Whether we're working with sales data, financial figures, or any other numeric information, the SUM(
5 min read
SQL MAX() FunctionThe MAX() function in SQL is a powerful aggregate function used to retrieve the maximum (highest) value from a specified column in a table. It is commonly employed for analyzing data to identify the largest numeric value, the latest date, or other maximum values in various datasets. The MAX() functi
4 min read
AVG() Function in SQLSQL is an RDBMS system in which SQL functions become very essential to provide us with primary data insights. One of the most important functions is called AVG() and is particularly useful for the calculation of averages within datasets. In this, we will learn about the AVG() function, and its synta
4 min read
Advanced SQL Topics
SQL SubqueryA subquery in SQL is a query nested within another SQL query. It allows you to perform complex filtering, aggregation, and data manipulation by using the result of one query inside another. Subqueries are often found in the WHERE, HAVING, or FROM clauses and are supported in SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE,
5 min read
Window Functions in SQLSQL window functions are essential for advanced data analysis and database management. It is a type of function that allows us to perform calculations across a specific set of rows related to the current row. These calculations happen within a defined window of data and they are particularly useful
6 min read
SQL Stored ProceduresStored procedures are precompiled SQL statements that are stored in the database and can be executed as a single unit. SQL Stored Procedures are a powerful feature in database management systems (DBMS) that allow developers to encapsulate SQL code and business logic. When executed, they can accept i
7 min read
SQL TriggersA trigger is a stored procedure in adatabase that automatically invokes whenever a special event in the database occurs. By using SQL triggers, developers can automate tasks, ensure data consistency, and keep accurate records of database activities. For example, a trigger can be invoked when a row i
7 min read
SQL Performance TuningSQL performance tuning is an essential aspect of database management that helps improve the efficiency of SQL queries and ensures that database systems run smoothly. Properly tuned queries execute faster, reducing response times and minimizing the load on the serverIn this article, we'll discuss var
8 min read
SQL TRANSACTIONSSQL transactions are essential for ensuring data integrity and consistency in relational databases. Transactions allow for a group of SQL operations to be executed as a single unit, ensuring that either all the operations succeed or none of them do. Transactions allow us to group SQL operations into
8 min read
Database Design & Security
Introduction of ER ModelThe Entity-Relationship Model (ER Model) is a conceptual model for designing a databases. This model represents the logical structure of a database, including entities, their attributes and relationships between them. Entity: An objects that is stored as data such as Student, Course or Company.Attri
10 min read
Introduction to Database NormalizationNormalization is an important process in database design that helps improve the database's efficiency, consistency, and accuracy. It makes it easier to manage and maintain the data and ensures that the database is adaptable to changing business needs.Database normalization is the process of organizi
6 min read
SQL InjectionSQL Injection is a security flaw in web applications where attackers insert harmful SQL code through user inputs. This can allow them to access sensitive data, change database contents or even take control of the system. It's important to know about SQL Injection to keep web applications secure.In t
7 min read
SQL Data EncryptionIn todayâs digital era, data security is more critical than ever, especially for organizations storing the personal details of their customers in their database. SQL Data Encryption aims to safeguard unauthorized access to data, ensuring that even if a breach occurs, the information remains unreadab
5 min read
SQL BackupIn SQL Server, a backup, or data backup is a copy of computer data that is created and stored in a different location so that it can be used to recover the original in the event of a data loss. To create a full database backup, the below methods could be used : 1. Using the SQL Server Management Stu
4 min read
What is Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) in DBMS?Object-relational mapping (ORM) is a key concept in the field of Database Management Systems (DBMS), addressing the bridge between the object-oriented programming approach and relational databases. ORM is critical in data interaction simplification, code optimization, and smooth blending of applicat
7 min read