How To Convert Date Into Yyyy-mm-dd Format In Javascript

4 min read Jun 20, 2024

How to Convert Date into yyyy-mm-dd Format in JavaScript

In JavaScript, you can convert a date object to the yyyy-mm-dd format using various methods. Here's a comprehensive guide:

Using `toLocaleDateString()`

The toLocaleDateString() method allows you to format a date according to the locale's conventions. To format a date into yyyy-mm-dd, you can use the following code:

const date = new Date();
const formattedDate = date.toLocaleDateString('en-CA'); 
console.log(formattedDate); // Output: 2023-10-26

Explanation:

new Date(): Creates a new Date object representing the current date and time.
toLocaleDateString('en-CA'): Formats the date according to the 'en-CA' locale (English, Canada), which uses the yyyy-mm-dd format.

Note: Different locales might produce different date formats, so using 'en-CA' ensures a consistent yyyy-mm-dd output.

Using String Manipulation

You can directly manipulate the Date object's properties to construct the desired format:

const date = new Date();
const year = date.getFullYear();
const month = ('0' + (date.getMonth() + 1)).slice(-2); // Add leading zero if necessary
const day = ('0' + date.getDate()).slice(-2); 
const formattedDate = `${year}-${month}-${day}`; 
console.log(formattedDate); // Output: 2023-10-26

Explanation:

getFullYear(), getMonth(), getDate(): Retrieve the year, month (zero-indexed), and day from the Date object.
('0' + (date.getMonth() + 1)).slice(-2): This line ensures a two-digit month format. We add '0' to the month and then use slice(-2) to get the last two characters, effectively adding a leading zero if needed.
${year}-${month}-${day}: Combines the year, month, and day into the desired yyyy-mm-dd format using string interpolation.

Using Moment.js Library

For more complex date formatting and manipulation tasks, you can use the Moment.js library.

Install Moment.js:

npm install moment

Usage:

const moment = require('moment');
const date = new Date();
const formattedDate = moment(date).format('YYYY-MM-DD');
console.log(formattedDate); // Output: 2023-10-26

Explanation:

moment(date): Creates a Moment object from the Date object.
format('YYYY-MM-DD'): Formats the date using the specified pattern.

Benefits of Moment.js:

Comprehensive formatting options: Supports a wide range of date and time formats.
Easy manipulation: Offers numerous methods for manipulating dates and times.
Timezones: Handles timezone conversions and calculations.

Choosing the Right Approach

toLocaleDateString(): Simplest option for basic formatting, but locale-dependent.
String Manipulation: Provides full control over formatting, but can be verbose.
Moment.js: Best for complex date/time operations, but adds a dependency to your project.

Select the method that best suits your project's needs and complexity.

How To Convert Date Into Yyyy-mm-dd Format In Javascript