[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":2014},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-\u002Fstandard-library\u002Fdatetime.now-explained":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"description":2007,"extension":2008,"meta":2009,"navigation":90,"path":2010,"seo":2011,"stem":2012,"__hash__":2013},"content\u002Fstandard-library\u002Fdatetime.now-explained.md","datetime.now() Explained",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":1967},"minimark",[9,18,24,27,43,57,180,186,194,199,221,224,232,239,242,257,260,275,280,323,326,369,372,376,379,409,419,422,455,462,466,472,492,495,498,622,625,675,678,706,717,721,724,829,832,896,899,903,906,909,923,926,1030,1032,1103,1106,1110,1117,1123,1127,1187,1189,1209,1213,1269,1271,1290,1293,1310,1314,1322,1325,1328,1339,1344,1348,1353,1357,1360,1388,1391,1423,1426,1459,1463,1466,1499,1506,1509,1541,1545,1551,1597,1600,1675,1679,1682,1693,1696,1710,1713,1724,1728,1731,1814,1817,1853,1857,1864,1870,1880,1888,1892,1901,1908,1917,1924,1927,1931,1963],[10,11,13,17],"h1",{"id":12},"datetimenow-explained",[14,15,16],"code",{},"datetime.now()"," Explained",[19,20,21,23],"p",{},[14,22,16],{}," gives you the current local date and time in Python.",[19,25,26],{},"Beginners often use it when they want to:",[28,29,30,34,37,40],"ul",{},[31,32,33],"li",{},"record the current time",[31,35,36],{},"print today’s date",[31,38,39],{},"create timestamps",[31,41,42],{},"work with dates and times in programs",[19,44,45,46,48,49,56],{},"It is important to know that ",[14,47,16],{}," returns a ",[50,51,52,55],"strong",{},[14,53,54],{},"datetime"," object",", not a plain string. That means you can access parts of it like the year, month, day, or hour.",[58,59,64],"pre",{"className":60,"code":61,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"language-python shiki shiki-themes material-theme-lighter github-light github-dark","from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\nprint(now)\nprint(now.year)\nprint(now.month)\nprint(now.day)\n","python","",[14,65,66,85,92,116,131,148,164],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,68,71,75,79,82],"span",{"class":69,"line":70},"line",1,[67,72,74],{"class":73},"sVHd0","from",[67,76,78],{"class":77},"su5hD"," datetime ",[67,80,81],{"class":73},"import",[67,83,84],{"class":77}," datetime\n",[67,86,88],{"class":69,"line":87},2,[67,89,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},true,"\n",[67,93,95,98,102,105,109,113],{"class":69,"line":94},3,[67,96,97],{"class":77},"now ",[67,99,101],{"class":100},"smGrS","=",[67,103,104],{"class":77}," datetime",[67,106,108],{"class":107},"sP7_E",".",[67,110,112],{"class":111},"slqww","now",[67,114,115],{"class":107},"()\n",[67,117,119,123,126,128],{"class":69,"line":118},4,[67,120,122],{"class":121},"sptTA","print",[67,124,125],{"class":107},"(",[67,127,112],{"class":111},[67,129,130],{"class":107},")\n",[67,132,134,136,138,140,142,146],{"class":69,"line":133},5,[67,135,122],{"class":121},[67,137,125],{"class":107},[67,139,112],{"class":111},[67,141,108],{"class":107},[67,143,145],{"class":144},"skxfh","year",[67,147,130],{"class":107},[67,149,151,153,155,157,159,162],{"class":69,"line":150},6,[67,152,122],{"class":121},[67,154,125],{"class":107},[67,156,112],{"class":111},[67,158,108],{"class":107},[67,160,161],{"class":144},"month",[67,163,130],{"class":107},[67,165,167,169,171,173,175,178],{"class":69,"line":166},7,[67,168,122],{"class":121},[67,170,125],{"class":107},[67,172,112],{"class":111},[67,174,108],{"class":107},[67,176,177],{"class":144},"day",[67,179,130],{"class":107},[19,181,182,183,185],{},"Use this when you want the current local date and time as a ",[14,184,54],{}," object.",[187,188,190,191,193],"h2",{"id":189},"what-datetimenow-does","What ",[14,192,16],{}," does",[19,195,196,198],{},[14,197,16],{},":",[28,200,201,204,213,218],{},[31,202,203],{},"returns the current local date and time",[31,205,206,207,209,210,212],{},"belongs to the ",[14,208,54],{}," class in the ",[14,211,54],{}," module",[31,214,215,216,55],{},"returns a ",[14,217,54],{},[31,219,220],{},"is useful when you need the current timestamp in your program",[19,222,223],{},"A common beginner mistake is thinking it returns text. It does not. It returns an object with useful attributes and methods.",[19,225,226,227,108],{},"If you want a broader introduction to working with dates and times, see the ",[228,229,231],"a",{"href":230},"\u002Fstandard-library\u002Fpython-datetime-module-overview","Python datetime module overview",[187,233,235,236,238],{"id":234},"importing-datetimenow-correctly","Importing ",[14,237,16],{}," correctly",[19,240,241],{},"The most common beginner import is:",[58,243,245],{"className":60,"code":244,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n",[14,246,247],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,248,249,251,253,255],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,250,74],{"class":73},[67,252,78],{"class":77},[67,254,81],{"class":73},[67,256,84],{"class":77},[19,258,259],{},"Then you call:",[58,261,263],{"className":60,"code":262,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"datetime.now()\n",[14,264,265],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,266,267,269,271,273],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,268,54],{"class":77},[67,270,108],{"class":107},[67,272,112],{"class":111},[67,274,115],{"class":107},[276,277,279],"h3",{"id":278},"example","Example",[58,281,283],{"className":60,"code":282,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\nprint(now)\n",[14,284,285,295,299,313],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,286,287,289,291,293],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,288,74],{"class":73},[67,290,78],{"class":77},[67,292,81],{"class":73},[67,294,84],{"class":77},[67,296,297],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,298,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,300,301,303,305,307,309,311],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,302,97],{"class":77},[67,304,101],{"class":100},[67,306,104],{"class":77},[67,308,108],{"class":107},[67,310,112],{"class":111},[67,312,115],{"class":107},[67,314,315,317,319,321],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,316,122],{"class":121},[67,318,125],{"class":107},[67,320,112],{"class":111},[67,322,130],{"class":107},[19,324,325],{},"You can also import the whole module:",[58,327,329],{"className":60,"code":328,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.datetime.now()\nprint(now)\n",[14,330,331,337,341,359],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,332,333,335],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,334,81],{"class":73},[67,336,84],{"class":77},[67,338,339],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,340,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,342,343,345,347,349,351,353,355,357],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,344,97],{"class":77},[67,346,101],{"class":100},[67,348,104],{"class":77},[67,350,108],{"class":107},[67,352,54],{"class":144},[67,354,108],{"class":107},[67,356,112],{"class":111},[67,358,115],{"class":107},[67,360,361,363,365,367],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,362,122],{"class":121},[67,364,125],{"class":107},[67,366,112],{"class":111},[67,368,130],{"class":107},[19,370,371],{},"This version works too, but it is longer.",[276,373,375],{"id":374},"why-beginners-get-confused","Why beginners get confused",[19,377,378],{},"If you write this:",[58,380,382],{"className":60,"code":381,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"import datetime\n\nprint(datetime.now())\n",[14,383,384,390,394],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,385,386,388],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,387,81],{"class":73},[67,389,84],{"class":77},[67,391,392],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,393,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,395,396,398,400,402,404,406],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,397,122],{"class":121},[67,399,125],{"class":107},[67,401,54],{"class":111},[67,403,108],{"class":107},[67,405,112],{"class":111},[67,407,408],{"class":107},"())\n",[19,410,411,412,414,415,418],{},"you will get an error, because ",[14,413,54],{}," here is the ",[50,416,417],{},"module",", not the class.",[19,420,421],{},"You need:",[58,423,425],{"className":60,"code":424,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"import datetime\n\nprint(datetime.datetime.now())\n",[14,426,427,433,437],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,428,429,431],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,430,81],{"class":73},[67,432,84],{"class":77},[67,434,435],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,436,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,438,439,441,443,445,447,449,451,453],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,440,122],{"class":121},[67,442,125],{"class":107},[67,444,54],{"class":111},[67,446,108],{"class":107},[67,448,54],{"class":144},[67,450,108],{"class":107},[67,452,112],{"class":111},[67,454,408],{"class":107},[19,456,457,458,108],{},"If you run into this kind of problem, see ",[228,459,461],{"href":460},"\u002Ferrors\u002Fattributeerror-module-has-no-attribute-fix","AttributeError: module has no attribute fix",[187,463,465],{"id":464},"what-the-returned-object-contains","What the returned object contains",[19,467,468,469,471],{},"The object returned by ",[14,470,16],{}," includes:",[28,473,474,476,478,480,483,486,489],{},[31,475,145],{},[31,477,161],{},[31,479,177],{},[31,481,482],{},"hour",[31,484,485],{},"minute",[31,487,488],{},"second",[31,490,491],{},"microsecond",[19,493,494],{},"You can access these parts with attributes.",[276,496,279],{"id":497},"example-1",[58,499,501],{"className":60,"code":500,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\n\nprint(now.year)\nprint(now.month)\nprint(now.day)\nprint(now.hour)\nprint(now.minute)\nprint(now.second)\n",[14,502,503,513,517,531,535,549,563,577,592,607],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,504,505,507,509,511],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,506,74],{"class":73},[67,508,78],{"class":77},[67,510,81],{"class":73},[67,512,84],{"class":77},[67,514,515],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,516,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,518,519,521,523,525,527,529],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,520,97],{"class":77},[67,522,101],{"class":100},[67,524,104],{"class":77},[67,526,108],{"class":107},[67,528,112],{"class":111},[67,530,115],{"class":107},[67,532,533],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,534,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,536,537,539,541,543,545,547],{"class":69,"line":133},[67,538,122],{"class":121},[67,540,125],{"class":107},[67,542,112],{"class":111},[67,544,108],{"class":107},[67,546,145],{"class":144},[67,548,130],{"class":107},[67,550,551,553,555,557,559,561],{"class":69,"line":150},[67,552,122],{"class":121},[67,554,125],{"class":107},[67,556,112],{"class":111},[67,558,108],{"class":107},[67,560,161],{"class":144},[67,562,130],{"class":107},[67,564,565,567,569,571,573,575],{"class":69,"line":166},[67,566,122],{"class":121},[67,568,125],{"class":107},[67,570,112],{"class":111},[67,572,108],{"class":107},[67,574,177],{"class":144},[67,576,130],{"class":107},[67,578,580,582,584,586,588,590],{"class":69,"line":579},8,[67,581,122],{"class":121},[67,583,125],{"class":107},[67,585,112],{"class":111},[67,587,108],{"class":107},[67,589,482],{"class":144},[67,591,130],{"class":107},[67,593,595,597,599,601,603,605],{"class":69,"line":594},9,[67,596,122],{"class":121},[67,598,125],{"class":107},[67,600,112],{"class":111},[67,602,108],{"class":107},[67,604,485],{"class":144},[67,606,130],{"class":107},[67,608,610,612,614,616,618,620],{"class":69,"line":609},10,[67,611,122],{"class":121},[67,613,125],{"class":107},[67,615,112],{"class":111},[67,617,108],{"class":107},[67,619,488],{"class":144},[67,621,130],{"class":107},[19,623,624],{},"You can also check its type:",[58,626,628],{"className":60,"code":627,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\nprint(type(now))\n",[14,629,630,640,644,658],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,631,632,634,636,638],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,633,74],{"class":73},[67,635,78],{"class":77},[67,637,81],{"class":73},[67,639,84],{"class":77},[67,641,642],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,643,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,645,646,648,650,652,654,656],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,647,97],{"class":77},[67,649,101],{"class":100},[67,651,104],{"class":77},[67,653,108],{"class":107},[67,655,112],{"class":111},[67,657,115],{"class":107},[67,659,660,662,664,668,670,672],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,661,122],{"class":121},[67,663,125],{"class":107},[67,665,667],{"class":666},"sZMiF","type",[67,669,125],{"class":107},[67,671,112],{"class":111},[67,673,674],{"class":107},"))\n",[19,676,677],{},"Expected output will look like:",[58,679,681],{"className":60,"code":680,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"\u003Cclass 'datetime.datetime'>\n",[14,682,683],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,684,685,688,692,696,700,703],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,686,687],{"class":100},"\u003C",[67,689,691],{"class":690},"sbsja","class",[67,693,695],{"class":694},"sjJ54"," '",[67,697,699],{"class":698},"s_sjI","datetime.datetime",[67,701,702],{"class":694},"'",[67,704,705],{"class":100},">\n",[19,707,708,709,712,713,108],{},"If you want to understand ",[14,710,711],{},"type()"," better, see ",[228,714,716],{"href":715},"\u002Freference\u002Fpython-type-function-explained","Python type() function explained",[187,718,720],{"id":719},"basic-example","Basic example",[19,722,723],{},"Here is a simple example that gets the current date and time, prints it, and accesses one part of it.",[58,725,727],{"className":60,"code":726,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\n\nprint(\"Full value:\", now)\nprint(\"Year:\", now.year)\nprint(\"Hour:\", now.hour)\n",[14,728,729,739,743,757,761,783,806],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,730,731,733,735,737],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,732,74],{"class":73},[67,734,78],{"class":77},[67,736,81],{"class":73},[67,738,84],{"class":77},[67,740,741],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,742,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,744,745,747,749,751,753,755],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,746,97],{"class":77},[67,748,101],{"class":100},[67,750,104],{"class":77},[67,752,108],{"class":107},[67,754,112],{"class":111},[67,756,115],{"class":107},[67,758,759],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,760,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,762,763,765,767,770,773,775,778,781],{"class":69,"line":133},[67,764,122],{"class":121},[67,766,125],{"class":107},[67,768,769],{"class":694},"\"",[67,771,772],{"class":698},"Full value:",[67,774,769],{"class":694},[67,776,777],{"class":107},",",[67,779,780],{"class":111}," now",[67,782,130],{"class":107},[67,784,785,787,789,791,794,796,798,800,802,804],{"class":69,"line":150},[67,786,122],{"class":121},[67,788,125],{"class":107},[67,790,769],{"class":694},[67,792,793],{"class":698},"Year:",[67,795,769],{"class":694},[67,797,777],{"class":107},[67,799,780],{"class":111},[67,801,108],{"class":107},[67,803,145],{"class":144},[67,805,130],{"class":107},[67,807,808,810,812,814,817,819,821,823,825,827],{"class":69,"line":166},[67,809,122],{"class":121},[67,811,125],{"class":107},[67,813,769],{"class":694},[67,815,816],{"class":698},"Hour:",[67,818,769],{"class":694},[67,820,777],{"class":107},[67,822,780],{"class":111},[67,824,108],{"class":107},[67,826,482],{"class":144},[67,828,130],{"class":107},[19,830,831],{},"Example output:",[58,833,835],{"className":60,"code":834,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"Full value: 2026-04-22 14:35:10.123456\nYear: 2026\nHour: 14\n",[14,836,837,876,886],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,838,839,842,844,848,851,854,858,860,863,866,868,871,873],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,840,841],{"class":77},"Full value",[67,843,198],{"class":107},[67,845,847],{"class":846},"srdBf"," 2026",[67,849,850],{"class":100},"-",[67,852,853],{"class":846},"0",[67,855,857],{"class":856},"sx12J","4",[67,859,850],{"class":100},[67,861,862],{"class":846},"22",[67,864,865],{"class":846}," 14",[67,867,198],{"class":107},[67,869,870],{"class":846},"35",[67,872,198],{"class":107},[67,874,875],{"class":846},"10.123456\n",[67,877,878,881,883],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,879,880],{"class":77},"Year",[67,882,198],{"class":107},[67,884,885],{"class":846}," 2026\n",[67,887,888,891,893],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,889,890],{"class":77},"Hour",[67,892,198],{"class":107},[67,894,895],{"class":846}," 14\n",[19,897,898],{},"The exact output will be different on your computer because it uses your current local time.",[187,900,902],{"id":901},"getting-only-the-date-or-only-the-time","Getting only the date or only the time",[19,904,905],{},"Sometimes the full datetime value is more than you need.",[19,907,908],{},"You can use:",[28,910,911,917],{},[31,912,913,916],{},[14,914,915],{},".date()"," to get only the date",[31,918,919,922],{},[14,920,921],{},".time()"," to get only the time",[276,924,279],{"id":925},"example-2",[58,927,929],{"className":60,"code":928,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\n\nprint(\"Full datetime:\", now)\nprint(\"Date only:\", now.date())\nprint(\"Time only:\", now.time())\n",[14,930,931,941,945,959,963,982,1006],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,932,933,935,937,939],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,934,74],{"class":73},[67,936,78],{"class":77},[67,938,81],{"class":73},[67,940,84],{"class":77},[67,942,943],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,944,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,946,947,949,951,953,955,957],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,948,97],{"class":77},[67,950,101],{"class":100},[67,952,104],{"class":77},[67,954,108],{"class":107},[67,956,112],{"class":111},[67,958,115],{"class":107},[67,960,961],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,962,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,964,965,967,969,971,974,976,978,980],{"class":69,"line":133},[67,966,122],{"class":121},[67,968,125],{"class":107},[67,970,769],{"class":694},[67,972,973],{"class":698},"Full datetime:",[67,975,769],{"class":694},[67,977,777],{"class":107},[67,979,780],{"class":111},[67,981,130],{"class":107},[67,983,984,986,988,990,993,995,997,999,1001,1004],{"class":69,"line":150},[67,985,122],{"class":121},[67,987,125],{"class":107},[67,989,769],{"class":694},[67,991,992],{"class":698},"Date only:",[67,994,769],{"class":694},[67,996,777],{"class":107},[67,998,780],{"class":111},[67,1000,108],{"class":107},[67,1002,1003],{"class":111},"date",[67,1005,408],{"class":107},[67,1007,1008,1010,1012,1014,1017,1019,1021,1023,1025,1028],{"class":69,"line":166},[67,1009,122],{"class":121},[67,1011,125],{"class":107},[67,1013,769],{"class":694},[67,1015,1016],{"class":698},"Time only:",[67,1018,769],{"class":694},[67,1020,777],{"class":107},[67,1022,780],{"class":111},[67,1024,108],{"class":107},[67,1026,1027],{"class":111},"time",[67,1029,408],{"class":107},[19,1031,831],{},[58,1033,1035],{"className":60,"code":1034,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"Full datetime: 2026-04-22 14:35:10.123456\nDate only: 2026-04-22\nTime only: 14:35:10.123456\n",[14,1036,1037,1066,1086],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1038,1039,1042,1044,1046,1048,1050,1052,1054,1056,1058,1060,1062,1064],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1040,1041],{"class":77},"Full datetime",[67,1043,198],{"class":107},[67,1045,847],{"class":846},[67,1047,850],{"class":100},[67,1049,853],{"class":846},[67,1051,857],{"class":856},[67,1053,850],{"class":100},[67,1055,862],{"class":846},[67,1057,865],{"class":846},[67,1059,198],{"class":107},[67,1061,870],{"class":846},[67,1063,198],{"class":107},[67,1065,875],{"class":846},[67,1067,1068,1071,1073,1075,1077,1079,1081,1083],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1069,1070],{"class":77},"Date only",[67,1072,198],{"class":107},[67,1074,847],{"class":846},[67,1076,850],{"class":100},[67,1078,853],{"class":846},[67,1080,857],{"class":856},[67,1082,850],{"class":100},[67,1084,1085],{"class":846},"22\n",[67,1087,1088,1091,1093,1095,1097,1099,1101],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1089,1090],{"class":77},"Time only",[67,1092,198],{"class":107},[67,1094,865],{"class":846},[67,1096,198],{"class":107},[67,1098,870],{"class":846},[67,1100,198],{"class":107},[67,1102,875],{"class":846},[19,1104,1105],{},"This can make your code clearer when you only need one part.",[187,1107,1109],{"id":1108},"formatting-the-result-for-display","Formatting the result for display",[19,1111,1112,1113,1116],{},"If you use ",[14,1114,1115],{},"print(now)",", Python uses the default datetime format.",[19,1118,1119,1120,108],{},"If you want a custom format, use ",[14,1121,1122],{},"strftime()",[276,1124,1126],{"id":1125},"example-year-month-day","Example: year-month-day",[58,1128,1130],{"className":60,"code":1129,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\nprint(now.strftime(\"%Y-%m-%d\"))\n",[14,1131,1132,1142,1146,1160],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1133,1134,1136,1138,1140],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1135,74],{"class":73},[67,1137,78],{"class":77},[67,1139,81],{"class":73},[67,1141,84],{"class":77},[67,1143,1144],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1145,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1147,1148,1150,1152,1154,1156,1158],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1149,97],{"class":77},[67,1151,101],{"class":100},[67,1153,104],{"class":77},[67,1155,108],{"class":107},[67,1157,112],{"class":111},[67,1159,115],{"class":107},[67,1161,1162,1164,1166,1168,1170,1173,1175,1177,1180,1183,1185],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,1163,122],{"class":121},[67,1165,125],{"class":107},[67,1167,112],{"class":111},[67,1169,108],{"class":107},[67,1171,1172],{"class":111},"strftime",[67,1174,125],{"class":107},[67,1176,769],{"class":694},[67,1178,1179],{"class":698},"%Y-%m-",[67,1181,1182],{"class":846},"%d",[67,1184,769],{"class":694},[67,1186,674],{"class":107},[19,1188,831],{},[58,1190,1192],{"className":60,"code":1191,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"2026-04-22\n",[14,1193,1194],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1195,1196,1199,1201,1203,1205,1207],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1197,1198],{"class":846},"2026",[67,1200,850],{"class":100},[67,1202,853],{"class":846},[67,1204,857],{"class":856},[67,1206,850],{"class":100},[67,1208,1085],{"class":846},[276,1210,1212],{"id":1211},"example-hourminutesecond","Example: hour:minute:second",[58,1214,1216],{"className":60,"code":1215,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\nprint(now.strftime(\"%H:%M:%S\"))\n",[14,1217,1218,1228,1232,1246],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1219,1220,1222,1224,1226],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1221,74],{"class":73},[67,1223,78],{"class":77},[67,1225,81],{"class":73},[67,1227,84],{"class":77},[67,1229,1230],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1231,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1233,1234,1236,1238,1240,1242,1244],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1235,97],{"class":77},[67,1237,101],{"class":100},[67,1239,104],{"class":77},[67,1241,108],{"class":107},[67,1243,112],{"class":111},[67,1245,115],{"class":107},[67,1247,1248,1250,1252,1254,1256,1258,1260,1262,1265,1267],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,1249,122],{"class":121},[67,1251,125],{"class":107},[67,1253,112],{"class":111},[67,1255,108],{"class":107},[67,1257,1172],{"class":111},[67,1259,125],{"class":107},[67,1261,769],{"class":694},[67,1263,1264],{"class":698},"%H:%M:%S",[67,1266,769],{"class":694},[67,1268,674],{"class":107},[19,1270,831],{},[58,1272,1274],{"className":60,"code":1273,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"14:35:10\n",[14,1275,1276],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1277,1278,1281,1283,1285,1287],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1279,1280],{"class":846},"14",[67,1282,198],{"class":107},[67,1284,870],{"class":846},[67,1286,198],{"class":107},[67,1288,1289],{"class":846},"10\n",[19,1291,1292],{},"This is useful when you want a cleaner, human-readable string.",[19,1294,1295,1296,1303,1304,108],{},"To learn more, see ",[228,1297,1299,1302],{"href":1298},"\u002Fstandard-library\u002Fdatetime.strftime-explained",[14,1300,1301],{},"datetime.strftime()"," explained",". If you later need to turn a string back into a datetime value, see ",[228,1305,1307,1302],{"href":1306},"\u002Fstandard-library\u002Fdatetime.strptime-explained",[14,1308,1309],{},"datetime.strptime()",[187,1311,1313],{"id":1312},"timezone-note-for-beginners","Timezone note for beginners",[19,1315,1316,1318,1319,108],{},[14,1317,16],{}," gives ",[50,1320,1321],{},"local time by default",[19,1323,1324],{},"For beginner use, that is often enough.",[19,1326,1327],{},"A few important points:",[28,1329,1330,1333,1336],{},[31,1331,1332],{},"it uses the current local time on your system",[31,1334,1335],{},"basic use does not automatically include timezone information",[31,1337,1338],{},"two computers in different places may return different times",[19,1340,1341,1342,108],{},"If you want to learn more about the bigger picture, start with the ",[228,1343,231],{"href":230},[187,1345,1347],{"id":1346},"common-errors-and-confusion","Common errors and confusion",[19,1349,1350,1351,108],{},"Here are some common mistakes beginners make with ",[14,1352,16],{},[276,1354,1356],{"id":1355},"using-the-wrong-import-style","Using the wrong import style",[19,1358,1359],{},"This fails:",[58,1361,1362],{"className":60,"code":381,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},[14,1363,1364,1370,1374],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1365,1366,1368],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1367,81],{"class":73},[67,1369,84],{"class":77},[67,1371,1372],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1373,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1375,1376,1378,1380,1382,1384,1386],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1377,122],{"class":121},[67,1379,125],{"class":107},[67,1381,54],{"class":111},[67,1383,108],{"class":107},[67,1385,112],{"class":111},[67,1387,408],{"class":107},[19,1389,1390],{},"This works:",[58,1392,1393],{"className":60,"code":424,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},[14,1394,1395,1401,1405],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1396,1397,1399],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1398,81],{"class":73},[67,1400,84],{"class":77},[67,1402,1403],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1404,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1406,1407,1409,1411,1413,1415,1417,1419,1421],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1408,122],{"class":121},[67,1410,125],{"class":107},[67,1412,54],{"class":111},[67,1414,108],{"class":107},[67,1416,54],{"class":144},[67,1418,108],{"class":107},[67,1420,112],{"class":111},[67,1422,408],{"class":107},[19,1424,1425],{},"Or use:",[58,1427,1429],{"className":60,"code":1428,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nprint(datetime.now())\n",[14,1430,1431,1441,1445],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1432,1433,1435,1437,1439],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1434,74],{"class":73},[67,1436,78],{"class":77},[67,1438,81],{"class":73},[67,1440,84],{"class":77},[67,1442,1443],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1444,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1446,1447,1449,1451,1453,1455,1457],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1448,122],{"class":121},[67,1450,125],{"class":107},[67,1452,54],{"class":111},[67,1454,108],{"class":107},[67,1456,112],{"class":111},[67,1458,408],{"class":107},[276,1460,1462],{"id":1461},"forgetting-the-parentheses","Forgetting the parentheses",[19,1464,1465],{},"This:",[58,1467,1469],{"className":60,"code":1468,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nprint(datetime.now)\n",[14,1470,1471,1481,1485],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1472,1473,1475,1477,1479],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1474,74],{"class":73},[67,1476,78],{"class":77},[67,1478,81],{"class":73},[67,1480,84],{"class":77},[67,1482,1483],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1484,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1486,1487,1489,1491,1493,1495,1497],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1488,122],{"class":121},[67,1490,125],{"class":107},[67,1492,54],{"class":111},[67,1494,108],{"class":107},[67,1496,112],{"class":144},[67,1498,130],{"class":107},[19,1500,1501,1502,1505],{},"does ",[50,1503,1504],{},"not"," call the function. It gives you the method itself.",[19,1507,1508],{},"Use:",[58,1510,1511],{"className":60,"code":1428,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},[14,1512,1513,1523,1527],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1514,1515,1517,1519,1521],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1516,74],{"class":73},[67,1518,78],{"class":77},[67,1520,81],{"class":73},[67,1522,84],{"class":77},[67,1524,1525],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1526,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1528,1529,1531,1533,1535,1537,1539],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1530,122],{"class":121},[67,1532,125],{"class":107},[67,1534,54],{"class":111},[67,1536,108],{"class":107},[67,1538,112],{"class":111},[67,1540,408],{"class":107},[276,1542,1544],{"id":1543},"expecting-a-string","Expecting a string",[19,1546,1547,1548,1550],{},"This returns a ",[14,1549,54],{}," object:",[58,1552,1553],{"className":60,"code":627,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},[14,1554,1555,1565,1569,1583],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1556,1557,1559,1561,1563],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1558,74],{"class":73},[67,1560,78],{"class":77},[67,1562,81],{"class":73},[67,1564,84],{"class":77},[67,1566,1567],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1568,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1570,1571,1573,1575,1577,1579,1581],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1572,97],{"class":77},[67,1574,101],{"class":100},[67,1576,104],{"class":77},[67,1578,108],{"class":107},[67,1580,112],{"class":111},[67,1582,115],{"class":107},[67,1584,1585,1587,1589,1591,1593,1595],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,1586,122],{"class":121},[67,1588,125],{"class":107},[67,1590,667],{"class":666},[67,1592,125],{"class":107},[67,1594,112],{"class":111},[67,1596,674],{"class":107},[19,1598,1599],{},"If you need a string, use:",[58,1601,1603],{"className":60,"code":1602,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"from datetime import datetime\n\nnow = datetime.now()\nprint(str(now))\nprint(now.strftime(\"%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S\"))\n",[14,1604,1605,1615,1619,1633,1648],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1606,1607,1609,1611,1613],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1608,74],{"class":73},[67,1610,78],{"class":77},[67,1612,81],{"class":73},[67,1614,84],{"class":77},[67,1616,1617],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1618,91],{"emptyLinePlaceholder":90},[67,1620,1621,1623,1625,1627,1629,1631],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1622,97],{"class":77},[67,1624,101],{"class":100},[67,1626,104],{"class":77},[67,1628,108],{"class":107},[67,1630,112],{"class":111},[67,1632,115],{"class":107},[67,1634,1635,1637,1639,1642,1644,1646],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,1636,122],{"class":121},[67,1638,125],{"class":107},[67,1640,1641],{"class":666},"str",[67,1643,125],{"class":107},[67,1645,112],{"class":111},[67,1647,674],{"class":107},[67,1649,1650,1652,1654,1656,1658,1660,1662,1664,1666,1668,1671,1673],{"class":69,"line":133},[67,1651,122],{"class":121},[67,1653,125],{"class":107},[67,1655,112],{"class":111},[67,1657,108],{"class":107},[67,1659,1172],{"class":111},[67,1661,125],{"class":107},[67,1663,769],{"class":694},[67,1665,1179],{"class":698},[67,1667,1182],{"class":846},[67,1669,1670],{"class":698}," %H:%M:%S",[67,1672,769],{"class":694},[67,1674,674],{"class":107},[276,1676,1678],{"id":1677},"treating-the-module-and-class-as-the-same-thing","Treating the module and class as the same thing",[19,1680,1681],{},"This is very common:",[28,1683,1684,1688],{},[31,1685,1686,212],{},[14,1687,54],{},[31,1689,1690,1692],{},[14,1691,54],{}," class inside that module",[19,1694,1695],{},"That is why these two import styles behave differently:",[58,1697,1698],{"className":60,"code":244,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},[14,1699,1700],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1701,1702,1704,1706,1708],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1703,74],{"class":73},[67,1705,78],{"class":77},[67,1707,81],{"class":73},[67,1709,84],{"class":77},[19,1711,1712],{},"and",[58,1714,1716],{"className":60,"code":1715,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"import datetime\n",[14,1717,1718],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1719,1720,1722],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1721,81],{"class":73},[67,1723,84],{"class":77},[276,1725,1727],{"id":1726},"quick-checks-you-can-run","Quick checks you can run",[19,1729,1730],{},"If something is not working, try these commands:",[58,1732,1734],{"className":60,"code":1733,"language":62,"meta":63,"style":63},"python --version\npython\nfrom datetime import datetime\nprint(datetime.now())\nimport datetime; print(datetime.datetime.now())\ntype(datetime.now())\n",[14,1735,1736,1748,1753,1763,1777,1800],{"__ignoreMap":63},[67,1737,1738,1741,1745],{"class":69,"line":70},[67,1739,1740],{"class":77},"python ",[67,1742,1744],{"class":1743},"srjyR","--",[67,1746,1747],{"class":77},"version\n",[67,1749,1750],{"class":69,"line":87},[67,1751,1752],{"class":77},"python\n",[67,1754,1755,1757,1759,1761],{"class":69,"line":94},[67,1756,74],{"class":73},[67,1758,78],{"class":77},[67,1760,81],{"class":73},[67,1762,84],{"class":77},[67,1764,1765,1767,1769,1771,1773,1775],{"class":69,"line":118},[67,1766,122],{"class":121},[67,1768,125],{"class":107},[67,1770,54],{"class":111},[67,1772,108],{"class":107},[67,1774,112],{"class":111},[67,1776,408],{"class":107},[67,1778,1779,1781,1784,1786,1788,1790,1792,1794,1796,1798],{"class":69,"line":133},[67,1780,81],{"class":73},[67,1782,1783],{"class":77}," datetime; ",[67,1785,122],{"class":121},[67,1787,125],{"class":107},[67,1789,54],{"class":111},[67,1791,108],{"class":107},[67,1793,54],{"class":144},[67,1795,108],{"class":107},[67,1797,112],{"class":111},[67,1799,408],{"class":107},[67,1801,1802,1804,1806,1808,1810,1812],{"class":69,"line":150},[67,1803,667],{"class":666},[67,1805,125],{"class":107},[67,1807,54],{"class":111},[67,1809,108],{"class":107},[67,1811,112],{"class":111},[67,1813,408],{"class":107},[19,1815,1816],{},"Common causes include:",[28,1818,1819,1832,1840,1845,1850],{},[31,1820,1821,1822,1825,1826,1828,1829],{},"imported the module with ",[14,1823,1824],{},"import datetime"," but called ",[14,1827,16],{}," instead of ",[14,1830,1831],{},"datetime.datetime.now()",[31,1833,1834,1835,1828,1838],{},"forgot parentheses and wrote ",[14,1836,1837],{},"datetime.now",[14,1839,16],{},[31,1841,1842,1843,55],{},"expected a string, but got a ",[14,1844,54],{},[31,1846,1847,1848],{},"tried to format the value without using ",[14,1849,1122],{},[31,1851,1852],{},"mixed up local time with timezone-aware time",[187,1854,1856],{"id":1855},"faq","FAQ",[276,1858,1860,1861,1863],{"id":1859},"what-does-datetimenow-return","What does ",[14,1862,16],{}," return?",[19,1865,1866,1867,1869],{},"It returns a ",[14,1868,54],{}," object with the current local date and time.",[276,1871,1873,1874,1876,1877,1879],{"id":1872},"why-does-datetimenow-not-work-after-import-datetime","Why does ",[14,1875,16],{}," not work after ",[14,1878,1824],{},"?",[19,1881,1882,1883,1885,1886,108],{},"Because ",[14,1884,54],{}," is then the module name. You need ",[14,1887,1831],{},[276,1889,1891],{"id":1890},"how-do-i-print-only-the-date","How do I print only the date?",[19,1893,1894,1895,1897,1898,1900],{},"Call ",[14,1896,915],{}," on the result, or use ",[14,1899,1122],{}," for a custom format.",[276,1902,1904,1905,1907],{"id":1903},"how-do-i-convert-datetimenow-to-a-string","How do I convert ",[14,1906,16],{}," to a string?",[19,1909,1910,1911,1914,1915,1900],{},"Use ",[14,1912,1913],{},"str()"," for the default format or ",[14,1916,1122],{},[276,1918,1920,1921,1923],{"id":1919},"is-datetimenow-the-same-on-every-computer","Is ",[14,1922,16],{}," the same on every computer?",[19,1925,1926],{},"No. It uses the current local time on that system.",[187,1928,1930],{"id":1929},"see-also","See also",[28,1932,1933,1937,1943,1949,1953,1959],{},[31,1934,1935],{},[228,1936,231],{"href":230},[31,1938,1939],{},[228,1940,1941,1302],{"href":1298},[14,1942,1301],{},[31,1944,1945],{},[228,1946,1947,1302],{"href":1306},[14,1948,1309],{},[31,1950,1951],{},[228,1952,716],{"href":715},[31,1954,1955],{},[228,1956,1958],{"href":1957},"\u002Fhow-to\u002Fhow-to-format-strings-in-python","How to format strings in Python",[31,1960,1961],{},[228,1962,461],{"href":460},[1964,1965,1966],"style",{},"html pre.shiki code .sVHd0, html code.shiki .sVHd0{--shiki-light:#39ADB5;--shiki-light-font-style:italic;--shiki-default:#D73A49;--shiki-default-font-style:inherit;--shiki-dark:#F97583;--shiki-dark-font-style:inherit}html pre.shiki code .su5hD, html code.shiki .su5hD{--shiki-light:#90A4AE;--shiki-default:#24292E;--shiki-dark:#E1E4E8}html pre.shiki code .smGrS, html code.shiki .smGrS{--shiki-light:#39ADB5;--shiki-default:#D73A49;--shiki-dark:#F97583}html pre.shiki code .sP7_E, html code.shiki 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.sbsja{--shiki-light:#9C3EDA;--shiki-default:#D73A49;--shiki-dark:#F97583}html pre.shiki code .sjJ54, html code.shiki .sjJ54{--shiki-light:#39ADB5;--shiki-default:#032F62;--shiki-dark:#9ECBFF}html pre.shiki code .s_sjI, html code.shiki .s_sjI{--shiki-light:#91B859;--shiki-default:#032F62;--shiki-dark:#9ECBFF}html pre.shiki code .srdBf, html code.shiki .srdBf{--shiki-light:#F76D47;--shiki-default:#005CC5;--shiki-dark:#79B8FF}html pre.shiki code .sx12J, html code.shiki .sx12J{--shiki-light:#F76D47;--shiki-light-font-style:inherit;--shiki-default:#B31D28;--shiki-default-font-style:italic;--shiki-dark:#FDAEB7;--shiki-dark-font-style:italic}html pre.shiki code .srjyR, html code.shiki .srjyR{--shiki-light:#90A4AE;--shiki-light-font-style:inherit;--shiki-default:#B31D28;--shiki-default-font-style:italic;--shiki-dark:#FDAEB7;--shiki-dark-font-style:italic}",{"title":63,"searchDepth":87,"depth":87,"links":1968},[1969,1971,1976,1979,1980,1983,1987,1988,1995,2006],{"id":189,"depth":87,"text":1970},"What datetime.now() does",{"id":234,"depth":87,"text":1972,"children":1973},"Importing datetime.now() correctly",[1974,1975],{"id":278,"depth":94,"text":279},{"id":374,"depth":94,"text":375},{"id":464,"depth":87,"text":465,"children":1977},[1978],{"id":497,"depth":94,"text":279},{"id":719,"depth":87,"text":720},{"id":901,"depth":87,"text":902,"children":1981},[1982],{"id":925,"depth":94,"text":279},{"id":1108,"depth":87,"text":1109,"children":1984},[1985,1986],{"id":1125,"depth":94,"text":1126},{"id":1211,"depth":94,"text":1212},{"id":1312,"depth":87,"text":1313},{"id":1346,"depth":87,"text":1347,"children":1989},[1990,1991,1992,1993,1994],{"id":1355,"depth":94,"text":1356},{"id":1461,"depth":94,"text":1462},{"id":1543,"depth":94,"text":1544},{"id":1677,"depth":94,"text":1678},{"id":1726,"depth":94,"text":1727},{"id":1855,"depth":87,"text":1856,"children":1996},[1997,1999,2001,2002,2004],{"id":1859,"depth":94,"text":1998},"What does datetime.now() return?",{"id":1872,"depth":94,"text":2000},"Why does datetime.now() not work after import datetime?",{"id":1890,"depth":94,"text":1891},{"id":1903,"depth":94,"text":2003},"How do I convert datetime.now() to a string?",{"id":1919,"depth":94,"text":2005},"Is datetime.now() the same on every computer?",{"id":1929,"depth":87,"text":1930},"Master datetime.now explained in our comprehensive Python beginner guide.","md",{},"\u002Fstandard-library\u002Fdatetime.now-explained",{"title":5,"description":2007},"standard-library\u002Fdatetime.now-explained","tR51qDIDVR-G8We5LClZ5Z4YIU1LZt7NKa56wwVnFws",1777585468651]