The strftime format is the standard date formatting for UNIX. It’s used in C, Ruby, and more.

strftime

Presets

Date

Example Output
%m/%d/%Y 06/05/2013
%A, %B %e, %Y Sunday, June 5, 2013
%b %e %a Jun 5 Sun

Time

Example Output
%H:%M 23:05
%I:%M %p 11:05 PM

Used by Ruby, UNIX date, and many more.

Date

Symbol Example Area
%a Sun Weekday
%A Sunday  
%w 0..6 (Sunday is 0)  
%y 13 Year
%Y 2013  
%b Jan Month
%B January  
%m 01..12  
%d 01..31 Day
%e 1..31  

Time

Symbol Example Area
%l 1 Hour
%H 00..23 24h Hour
%I 01..12 12h Hour
%M 00..59 Minute
%S 00..60 Second
%p AM AM or PM
%Z +08 Time zone
%j 001..366 Day of the year
%% % Literal % character
0 Comments for this cheatsheet. Write yours!