> This page location: Date Functions > CURRENT_DATE > Full Neon documentation index: https://neon.com/docs/llms.txt # PostgreSQL CURRENT_DATE Function **Info:** The CURRENT_DATE function works the same across any PostgreSQL deployment, so what you learn here applies whether you're running Postgres locally, on [Lakebase](https://www.databricks.com/product/lakebase), or on [Neon](https://neon.com). For enterprises building in the AI era, Lakebase delivers managed Postgres that's fast, secure, and natively integrated with the Lakehouse. For developers and startups who need to ship quickly and scale without friction, Neon is the Postgres platform built for your pace. **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/date-functions/age) - [AT TIME ZONE Operator](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/at-time-zone) - [CLOCK_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/clock_timestamp) - [CURRENT_TIME](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/current_time) - [CURRENT_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/current_timestamp) - [DATE_PART](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/date_part) - [DATE_TRUNC](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/date_trunc) - [EXTRACT](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/extract) - [ISFINITE](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/isfinite) - [JUSTIFY_DAYS](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/justify_days) - [JUSTIFY_HOURS](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/justify_hours) - [JUSTIFY_INTERVAL](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/justify_interval) - [LOCALTIME](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/localtime) - [LOCALTIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/localtimestamp) - [MAKE_DATE](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/make_date) - [MAKE_INTERVAL](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/make_interval) - [MAKE_TIME](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/make_time) - [NOW](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/now) - [PG_SLEEP](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/pg_sleep) - [STATEMENT_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/statement_timestamp) - [TIMEOFDAY](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/timeofday) - [TO_DATE](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/to_date) - [TO_TIMESTAMP](https://neon.com/postgresql/date-functions/to_timestamp)