How to Convert a Date Format in PHP?

Working with date formats is a common task in web development, especially when building applications that require the display of date and time information. PHP provides numerous built-in functions that enable users to work with dates and times, which also includes the capability to convert date formats.

In this article, we will explore different techniques for converting a date format in PHP, along with examples and explanations.

Convert a Date Format in PHP

There are commonly two methods to convert a date format in PHP, which are as follows:

• DateTime::createFromFormat() Method
• strtotime() Function

1: Using DateTime::createFromFormat() Method

The DateTime class in PHP provides a powerful set of tools to work with dates and times. One of the most useful methods provided by this class is createFromFormat(), which allows you to create a DateTime object from a string representation of a date, using a specified format.

The syntax for using DateTime::createFromFormat() function is as follows:

Here, $format is the format of the input date string, and $date_string is the date string that you want to convert.

For example, let’s say you have a date string in the format “2023-04-24” and you want to convert it to the format “April 24, 2023“. Use the below-given code:

Output

2: Using strtotime() Function

In PHP, the strtotime() function is another useful way for converting a date from one format to another and it works by converting a string with a date and time format into a Unix timestamp, enabling the date to be formatted in any desired way using the date() function.

The syntax to use strtotime() function is given below:

The following example illustrates the strtotime() use:

Output

Conclusion

PHP provides various methods for converting date formats, such as DateTime::createFromFormat() and strtotime() functions. These methods are handy tools that allow developers to work with dates and times flexibly and efficiently.