To convert a datetime to a string in Python, you can use the “strftime()” function. The “strftime()” function takes a format string as an argument and returns a formatted string representation of the datetime object.
Syntax
datetime.strftime(Format_String)
How to Use strftime() Method
from datetime import datetime
# current date and time
curDT = datetime.now()
# current day
day = curDT.strftime("%d")
print("day:", day)
# current month
month = curDT.strftime("%m")
print("month:", month)
# current year
year = curDT.strftime("%Y")
print("year:", year)
# current time
time = curDT.strftime("%H:%M:%S")
print("time:", time)
# current date and time
date_time = curDT.strftime("%m/%d/%Y, %H:%M:%S")
print("date and time:", date_time)
Output
day: 21
month: 01
year: 2020
time: 13:31:14
date and time: 01/21/2020, 13:31:14
How to convert Date to String in Python
You can convert a date to a string using the “strftime()” method of the datetime module. It allows you to specify a string format for the output.
# app.py
from datetime import datetime
# current date and time
curDTObj = datetime.now()
# current date
dateStr = curDTObj.strftime("%d %b, %Y")
print("dateStr:", date)
Output
date: 21 Jan, 2020
How to convert time to string in Python
Use the strftime()
class method from the datetime
module to convert a time to a string in Python. The strftime
method allows you to specify a string format for the output.
from datetime import datetime
# current date and time
curDTObj = datetime.now()
# current time
timeStr = curDTObj.strftime("%H:%M:%S.%f")
print("Time:", timeStr)
Output
Time: 14:30:27.650890
How to convert datetime to text in Python
To convert a datetime to text in Python, you can use the strftime() function.
from datetime import datetime
# current date and time
curDTObj = datetime.now()
# current datetime
datetimeStr = curDTObj.strftime("Today is %d %B of %Y and the week day is %A at %I:%M %p")
print("Readable Text of Current Date Time:", datetimeStr)
Output
Readable Text of Current Date Time: Today is 21 January of 2020
and the week day is Tuesday at 02:35 PM
List of the date-time format in Python
Format Codes | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
%d | Day of the month as a zero-padded decimal number | 01, 02, 03, 04 …, 31 |
%a | Weekday as an abbreviated name | Sun, Mon, …, Sat |
%A | Weekday as the full name | Sunday, Monday, …, and Saturday |
%m | The month is the zero-padded decimal number | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05,…, 12 |
%b | Month as an abbreviated name | Jan, Feb, Mar,…, Dec |
%B | Month as full name | January, February, …, December |
%y | A year without a century as the zero-padded decimal number | 00, 01, 02, 03, …, 99 |
%Y | The year with century as the decimal number | 0001, …, 2018, …, 9999 |
%H | Hour (24-hour clock) as the zero-padded decimal number | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 …, 23 |
%M | Minute is a zero-padded decimal number | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 …, 59 |
%S | Second as a zero-padded decimal number | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 …, 59 |
%f | A microsecond is a decimal number, zero-padded on the left | 000000, 000001, …, 999999 |
%I | Hour (12-hour clock) as a zero-padded decimal number | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 …, 12 |
%p | Locale’s equivalent of either AM or PM | AM, PM |
%j | Day of the year as a zero-padded decimal number | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 …, 366 |
That’s it.
Related posts

Krunal Lathiya is a seasoned Computer Science expert with over eight years in the tech industry. He boasts deep knowledge in Data Science and Machine Learning. Versed in Python, JavaScript, PHP, R, and Golang. Skilled in frameworks like Angular and React and platforms such as Node.js. His expertise spans both front-end and back-end development. His proficiency in the Python language stands as a testament to his versatility and commitment to the craft.