# PHP Get Current Date and Time with the date() Function

> Use PHP's date() function with format parameters like Y-m-d and H:i:s to get the current date and time from the server in any desired format

**URL:** https://sentry.io/answers/how-do-i-get-the-current-date-and-time-in-php/

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## The Problem

How do I get the current date and time in PHP?

## The Solution

Use the `date()` function to get the current date and time of the server.

In this example, we pass in the argument of `d/m H:i` to get the current date and time in the `day/month hour:minute` format:

```php
$currentDateTime = date('d/m H:i');
echo $currentDateTime;
```

Output:

```
18/05 23:12
```

### Format Parameters

You can combine the following format parameters with common date and time symbols such as `/`, `:`, and `-` to get the time and date in your desired format.

| Parameter | Description        | Example  |
|-----------|--------------------|----------|
| 'Y'       | Year (four digits) | 2023     |
| 'm'       | Month (two digits) | 05       |
| 'F'       | Month (noun)       | May      |
| 'd'       | Day (two digits)   | 18       |
| 'l'       | Day (noun)         | Thursday |
| 'H'       | Hour (24 hour)     | 23       |
| 'h'       | Hour (12 hour)     | 11       |
| 'A'       | AM or PM           | PM       |
| 'i'       | 60 minute time     | 12       |
| 's'       | 60 second time     | 08       |

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*Source: [sentry.io/answers/how-do-i-get-the-current-date-and-time-in-php/](https://sentry.io/answers/how-do-i-get-the-current-date-and-time-in-php/)*