PostgreSQL 18 reference · Date and Time Functions

PostgreSQL TO_DATE() Function

Parse text into a date using a format pattern, such as to_date('09/03/2026', 'DD/MM/YYYY').

PostgreSQL 18

Create a free account to save this page, take notes and track your progress. Sign in

Syntax

to_date(text, format)

Parameter	Description
`text`	The date as text.
`format`	The pattern the text follows.

date.

Parse dates

SELECT to_date('09/03/2026', 'DD/MM/YYYY') AS d,
       to_date('March 9, 2026', 'Month DD, YYYY') AS d2;

Output

     d      |     d2
------------+------------
 2026-03-09 | 2026-03-09
(1 row)

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

ISO dates can just be cast

SELECT '2026-03-09'::date AS iso_needs_no_pattern;

Output

 iso_needs_no_pattern
----------------------
 2026-03-09
(1 row)

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

TO_TIMESTAMP() · Convert Unix epoch seconds to a timestamp with time zone, or parse text into one with a format pattern.
TO_CHAR() · Format a date, timestamp or number as text with a pattern such as 'DD Mon YYYY' or 'FM999,990.00'.
MAKE_DATE() · Build a date from year, month and day numbers. make_timestamp() and make_time() do the same for other types.
SQL Date Functions · tutorial