MySQL Date & Time Types – DATE, TIME, DATETIME, TIMESTAMP Explained

Introduction – Why Date & Time Types Matter in MySQL?

In MySQL, handling dates and times accurately is essential for recording events, scheduling actions, generating reports, and managing logs. MySQL provides dedicated data types like DATE, TIME, DATETIME, and TIMESTAMP to store and manipulate temporal values efficiently.

Using the correct type ensures:

• Accurate time zone conversions
• Optimized storage
• Correct sorting and comparisons
• Auto-timestamping support

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• The differences between DATE, TIME, DATETIME, and TIMESTAMP
• Syntax, formats, storage, and default behaviors
• Real-world use cases and best practices

1. DATE – Stores Only Calendar Dates

Format

'YYYY-MM-DD'

Example

CREATE TABLE employees (
  id INT,
  birth_date DATE
);

Explanation:

• Stores only the date: e.g., '1990-01-15'
• No time component is saved
• Ideal for birthdays, due dates, join dates

2. TIME – Stores Only Time of Day

Format

'HH:MM:SS'

Example

CREATE TABLE shifts (
  shift_id INT,
  start_time TIME,
  end_time TIME
);

Explanation:

• Stores time values like '08:30:00'
• Ranges from '-838:59:59' to '838:59:59'
• Useful for durations, clock-in/out, recurring time blocks

3. DATETIME – Stores Date + Time (No Time Zone)

Format

'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS'

Example

CREATE TABLE appointments (
  id INT,
  scheduled_at DATETIME
);

Explanation:

• Stores both date and time
• No automatic time zone conversion
• Great for storing local event timestamps (e.g., booking time)

4. TIMESTAMP – Date + Time With Time Zone Awareness

Format

'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS'

Example

CREATE TABLE logs (
  id INT,
  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

Explanation:

• Behaves like DATETIME but converts to/from UTC internally
• Automatically updates if configured with ON UPDATE CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
• Best for audit logs, created/updated timestamps

TIMESTAMP vs DATETIME – Key Differences

️ Storage & Range Overview

Examples with Defaults & AUTO Timestamp

CREATE TABLE posts (
  id INT,
  published_at DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
  updated_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP ON UPDATE CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

Explanation:

• published_at: Automatically set when the row is inserted
• updated_at: Auto-updates every time the row changes

Best Practices

Real-World Use Cases

Summary – Recap & Next Steps

MySQL’s temporal types help you store and manipulate calendar dates, times, and timestamps with or without time zones. Using the correct type ensures your applications stay time-accurate and easy to audit.

Key Takeaways

• DATE – Store only calendar dates
• TIME – Use for durations and time-only values
• DATETIME – Use for exact date+time (no time zone shift)
• TIMESTAMP – UTC-based time for logs and auditing

Real-World Relevance

Whether you’re building event apps, logging systems, e-commerce reports, or calendar integrations, understanding MySQL date/time types ensures accurate, efficient, and timezone-safe data management.

FAQ – MySQL Date & Time Types

Should I use DATETIME or TIMESTAMP?

• Use DATETIME for local times
• Use TIMESTAMP for UTC/logging/auditing

Can TIMESTAMP auto-update?

Yes. Use:

updated_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP ON UPDATE CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

Can I compare a DATE with a DATETIME?

Yes, but comparisons auto-truncate the time portion of the DATETIME.

What’s the range limit of TIMESTAMP?

TIMESTAMP maxes out at 2038-01-19 03:14:07, due to 32-bit UNIX time limit.

Can I format dates inside queries?

Yes, use DATE_FORMAT():

SELECT DATE_FORMAT(NOW(), '%d-%b-%Y');