What string date format will JavaScript's parse recognize?

Question

I know when constructing a Date object in JavaScript with a dateString parameter, the string must be something that parse() can recognize.

What date format can parse recognize?

For example:

var postDate = new Date("2011-03-08T23:52:38");

works in Chrome and Internet Explorer, but fails on an iPhone (returns Jan 1, 1970).

I cannot find any formal documentation on the .parse() method, or the constructor, about what the parameter should be.

The format yyyy-mm-ddThh:nn:ss doesn't work. What is the allowed format string?

Community · Accepted Answer · 2021-10-07 05:49:19Z

11

The MDC documentation of Date.parse() states (quoting) :

It accepts the IETF standard (RFC 1123 Section 5.2.14 and elsewhere) date syntax:
"Mon, 25 Dec 1995 13:30:00 GMT".

OP Edit:

.NET syntax to create this datetime string:

/*
 * r (RFC1123Pattern)
 *      ddd, dd MMM yyyy HH':'mm':'ss 'GMT'
 *      Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:45:30 GMT
 */
dateTime.ToUniversalTime().ToString("r", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture); //"r" = RFC1123Pattern

Edit: The r (RFC1123 pattern) always appends "GMT", even though the time isn't GMT (it's local). You need to call .ToUniversalTime() first, in order to have the time actually be GMT.

edited Oct 7, 2021 at 5:49

CommunityBot

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answered Mar 24, 2011 at 11:52

Pascal MARTIN

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Comments

Heretic Monkey · Accepted Answer · 2022-07-11 14:18:49Z

1

Using the format that is produced by Date's toJSON method will work. This is the same as the toISOString method.

The date format is YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.sssZ

Note: The time zone is always UTC as denoted by the suffix "Z".

var d = new Date();
console.log(d.toJSON());
console.log(d.toJSON() === d.toISOString());
console.log(Date.parse(d.toJSON()) === Date.parse(d.toISOString()));

You may find that the date shown isn't the same as on your clock; remember the time zone is UTC.

References:

Date.prototype.toJSON()

Date.prototype.toISOString()

edited Jul 11, 2022 at 14:18

Heretic Monkey

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answered Apr 3, 2014 at 14:37

kevinfjbecker

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