Parsing dates with strtotime()
Learn to convert English date expressions to timestamps with strtotime().
The strtotime() function
In PHP you use strtotime() to convert English date expressions to a timestamp. The function takes a string like 'next Monday' or '+1 week' and returns a Unix timestamp.
For example, $ts = strtotime('2024-03-15'); turns the string '2024-03-15' into a timestamp. You can then print it in any format with date('d.m.Y', $ts).
If parsing fails the function returns false; checking the return value is a good habit.
Relative date expressions
strtotime() also understands relative expressions: '+1 day' is tomorrow, '-1 week' is last week, 'next Monday' is the next Monday, 'last day of next month' is the last day of next month.
This lets you take a phrase like 'one week later' from a user and compute it. For example, date('Y-m-d', strtotime('+1 week')) gives the date one week from today.
The parser uses English grammar; expressions must be in English, other languages are not recognised.
Exercise Parse a date string and print it
Use strtotime() to convert '2024-03-15' into a timestamp and assign it to $ts. Then print it with date('d/m/Y', $ts).
Show example solution
Write $ts = strtotime('2024-03-15'); then add echo date('d/m/Y', $ts);
Example solution:
<?php
date_default_timezone_set('UTC');
$ts = strtotime('2024-03-15');
echo date('d/m/Y', $ts);Test yourself
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What does strtotime('next Monday') return?
- A DateTime object
- A formatted date string
- The boolean true
- A Unix timestamp (integer)
Show answer
A Unix timestamp (integer) — Correct. strtotime() returns a Unix timestamp on success.
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Parse one week later
$ts = strtotime('____');Show answer
$ts = strtotime('+1 week'); -
Match relative expressions
- 'yesterday'
- Yesterday's date
- 'next Monday'
- Next Monday
- '+1 day'
- Tomorrow
- 'last day of this month'
- Last day of this month