> This page location: Date Functions > CURRENT_DATE > Full Neon documentation index: https://neon.com/docs/llms.txt # PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE Function **Summary**: in this tutorial, you will learn how to use the PostgreSQL `CURRENT_DATE` function to get the current date. ## Introduction to the PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE function The `CURRENT_DATE` function returns the current date in the default time zone of the database session. Here is the basic syntax of the `CURRENT_DATE` function: ```sql CURRENT_DATE ``` The `CURRENT_DATE` function returns a [`DATE`](../postgresql-tutorial/postgresql-date) value that represents the current date. Note that the `CURRENT_DATE` function returns the current date without any time information. ## PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE function examples Let's explore some examples of using the `CURRENT_DATE` function. ### 1) Basic PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE function example The following example shows how to use the `CURRENT_DATE` function to get the current date: ```sql SELECT CURRENT_DATE; ``` Output: ``` current_date -------------- 2024-01-26 (1 row) ``` ### 2) Using the PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE for date-based filtering You can use the `CURRENT_DATE` in the `WHERE` clause to filter data based on the current date. For example, you can retrieve the rentals placed today by comparing the rental date in the `rental` table with the result of the `CURRENT_DATE` function: ```sql SELECT * FROM rental WHERE rental_date = CURRENT_DATE; ``` ### 3) Calculating ages First, create a new table called `employees` with the `date_of_birth` column and insert some data into the table: ```sql CREATE TABLE employees ( id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY, name VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL, date_of_birth DATE NOT NULL ); INSERT INTO employees (name, date_of_birth) VALUES ('John Doe', '1992-05-15'), ('Jane Smith', '1995-08-22'), ('Bob Johnson', '1998-11-10') RETURNING *; ``` Output: ``` id | name | birth_date ----+-------------+------------ 1 | John Doe | 1992-05-15 2 | Jane Smith | 1995-08-22 3 | Bob Johnson | 1998-11-10 (3 rows) INSERT 0 3 ``` Second, calculate the age of employees using the `CURRENT_DATE` function: ```sql SELECT name, date_of_birth, CURRENT_DATE as today, (CURRENT_DATE - date_of_birth) / 365 AS age FROM employees ORDER BY name; ``` Output: ``` name | date_of_birth | today | age -------------+---------------+------------+----- Bob Johnson | 1998-11-10 | 2024-01-26 | 25 Jane Smith | 1995-08-22 | 2024-01-26 | 28 John Doe | 1992-05-15 | 2024-01-26 | 31 (3 rows) ``` ### 4) Using the PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE function as the default value of a column In practice, you often use the `CURRENT_DATE` function as a default value of a column. For example: First, [create a table](../postgresql-tutorial/postgresql-create-table) called `delivery`: ```sql CREATE TABLE delivery( delivery_id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY, product VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL, delivery_date DATE DEFAULT CURRENT_DATE ); ``` In the `delivery` table, the `delivery_date`is set with the default value generated by the `CURRENT_DATE` function. Second, [insert a new row](../postgresql-tutorial/postgresql-insert) into the `delivery` table: ```sql INSERT INTO delivery(product) VALUES ('Sample screen protector'); ``` In this `INSERT` statement, we do not specify the delivery date. Therefore, PostgreSQL uses the current date as the default value. Third, verify the insert: ```sql SELECT * FROM delivery; ``` Output: ``` delivery_id | product | delivery_date -------------+-------------------------+--------------- 1 | Sample screen protector | 2024-01-26 (1 row) ``` The output indicates that the statement inserted the current date into the `delivery_date` column. Note that you will see a different value in the `delivery_date` column, depending on when you execute the query. ## Summary - Use the PostgreSQL `CURRENT_DATE` function to retrieve the current date. --- ## Related docs (Date Functions) - [AGE](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-age) - [AT TIME ZONE Operator](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-at-time-zone) - [CLOCK_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-clock_timestamp) - [CURRENT_TIME](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-current_time) - [CURRENT_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-current_timestamp) - [DATE_PART](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-date_part) - [DATE_TRUNC](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-date_trunc) - [EXTRACT](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-extract) - [ISFINITE](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-isfinite) - [JUSTIFY_DAYS](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-justify_days) - [JUSTIFY_HOURS](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-justify_hours) - [JUSTIFY_INTERVAL](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-justify_interval) - [LOCALTIME](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-localtime) - [LOCALTIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-localtimestamp) - [MAKE_DATE](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-make_date) - [MAKE_INTERVAL](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-make_interval) - [MAKE_TIME](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-make_time) - [NOW](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-now) - [PG_SLEEP](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-pg_sleep) - [STATEMENT_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-statement_timestamp) - [TIMEOFDAY](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-timeofday) - [TO_DATE](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-to_date) - [TO_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/postgresql-date-functions/postgresql-to_timestamp)