SQLite 3 reference · Date and Time Functions

SQLite TIMEDIFF() Function

Return the difference between two dates as text like '+0000-01-14 00:00:00.000' (years, months, days, time).

SQLite 3 Since 3.43.0

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Syntax

timediff(time-value-A, time-value-B)

Parameter	Description
`A, B`	Two date/time values; the result is A minus B.

Text (+|-)YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.SSS, or NULL.

Months and days apartTry it yourself

SELECT timediff('2026-03-01', '2026-01-15') AS diff;

Output

diff
+0000-01-14 00:00:00.000

Time in the jobTry it yourself

SELECT name, timediff('2026-10-22', hire_date) AS tenure
FROM employees
WHERE employee_id IN (1, 10);

Output

name | tenure
Sofia Reyes | +0008-07-21 00:00:00.000
Ravi Kumar | +0002-00-21 00:00:00.000

Version	Change
SQLite 3.43.0	Added

JULIANDAY() · Return the Julian day number (days since 4714 BC, with a fraction for the time). Subtract two to get days between dates.
DATE() · Return a date as text in YYYY-MM-DD form, optionally shifted with modifiers like '+7 days' or 'start of month'.
SQL Date Functions · tutorial