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Use Python’s strftime() or isoformat() to turn a datetime into a string. In a Django template, use the date filter with Django’s format codes. The syntax differs: Python writes minutes as %M, while Django writes them as i. Choose the method and timezone behavior according to whether the output is for display or a stable machine-readable value.
Format a datetime in Python
Call strftime() with Python’s percent-prefixed format directives when you need to control the output layout:
from datetime import datetime
dt = datetime(2024, 3, 5, 14, 9, 7)
text = dt.strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
# "2024-03-05 14:09:07"Common directives are %Y for a four-digit year, %m for a zero-padded month, %d for a zero-padded day, %H for a 24-hour hour, %M for minutes, and %S for seconds. The supported set can vary by platform because Python’s strftime() relies on the platform C library. See the Python datetime documentation.
Use ISO-style output when appropriate
For an ISO-style representation, call isoformat():
text = dt.isoformat()For a datetime, str(dt) is equivalent to dt.isoformat(' '), using a space between the date and time. If another system depends on the exact representation, choose the method explicitly rather than relying on an implicit string conversion. An aware datetime’s ISO output can include its UTC offset; verify that the receiving system expects that representation.
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Formatting is not parsing
strftime() formats a date or time object as text. To parse text back into a datetime, use datetime.strptime(date_string, format) with a matching format string. The two operations go in opposite directions.
Format a datetime in a Django template
Use Django’s built-in date filter for a date or datetime:
{{ value|date:"Y-m-d H:i:s" }}Django’s format codes are not Python’s strftime() directives. In this example, Y is the four-digit year, m the zero-padded month, d the zero-padded day, H the 24-hour hour, i the minute, and s the second. The equivalent-looking Python format would use percent-prefixed codes, including %M for minutes. Consult the Django template filter reference for the available codes and predefined formats.
Use the time filter for time-only output
For a time-only value, use Django’s time filter. It accepts time-related format parameters and, for an aware datetime, certain timezone-related codes. For a complete date and time, date is usually the clearer choice.
Choose the right format for display or data exchange
- Python application code: use
strftime()when you need a specific layout, orisoformat()for an ISO-style representation. - Django template display: use
datefor dates and datetimes, ortimefor time-only output. - Machine-readable output: choose an explicit representation and establish whether a timezone offset must be included. Avoid formats whose output changes with the active locale or project configuration.
- Human-facing output: Django’s predefined formats and localization can adapt to the active locale, which may be useful for readers but makes the rendered string less fixed.
Django supports locale-aware formats and custom format definitions, so a rendered value may depend on the active locale and configuration. See Django’s format localization documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Account for timezone awareness in Django
When Django timezone support is enabled, aware datetimes are converted to the current timezone when rendered in templates. Naive datetimes are not automatically converted: their intended timezone may be ambiguous. The Django 5.2 timezone documentation explains, “Django doesn’t convert naive datetime objects, because they could be ambiguous, and because your code should never produce naive datetimes when time zone support is enabled.” Read the Django timezone documentation.
For a display intended for a person, decide which current timezone should apply. For an API or other machine consumer, consider whether rendering in the current display timezone is appropriate; the output’s timezone and offset semantics should be intentional rather than accidental.
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