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Use Python’s strftime() or isoformat() in application code, and Django’s date filter when formatting a value in a template. The format strings differ: Python uses directives such as %Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S, while Django uses Y-m-d H:i:s. Choose the output format and timezone deliberately, especially when a string will be consumed by another system.

Format a datetime in Python

Call strftime() on a datetime object to produce a string in a chosen layout:

from datetime import datetime

dt = datetime(2024, 3, 5, 14, 9, 7)
text = dt.strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
# "2024-03-05 14:09:07"

The format string uses Python’s percent-prefixed directives. Common examples are:

  • %Y: four-digit year
  • %m: zero-padded month
  • %d: zero-padded day
  • %H: zero-padded 24-hour hour
  • %M: minute
  • %S: second

Python documents strftime() for date, datetime, and time objects. The full set of supported directives can vary across platforms because the implementation relies on the platform C library. See the Python datetime documentation.

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Use ISO-style output when appropriate

For a standard ISO-style representation, call isoformat():

text = dt.isoformat()

For a datetime, str(dt) is equivalent to dt.isoformat(' '), so the date and time are separated by a space. An aware datetime’s ISO representation can include its UTC offset. If another application expects a specific separator, precision, or offset convention, select and verify that representation rather than relying on an implicit default.

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Formatting is not parsing

strftime() turns a date or time value into text. To parse text into a datetime, use datetime.strptime(date_string, format) with a matching format string. The two operations go in opposite directions.

Format a datetime in a Django template

Use Django’s built-in date filter for a date or datetime value:

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{{ value|date:"Y-m-d H:i:s" }}

Django’s format codes are not Python’s strftime() directives. In this example, Y is a four-digit year, m a zero-padded month, d a zero-padded day, H a 24-hour hour, i minutes, and s seconds. In particular, Django uses i for minutes; Python uses %M. Consult the Django template filter documentation for the available codes and predefined formats.

Display a time without a date

For a time-only value, use Django’s time filter. It accepts time-related format parameters; for an aware datetime, it also supports specified timezone-related codes. For a complete date and time, the date filter is generally the clearer choice. Django documents both filters in its built-in template filter reference.

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Choose between Python and Django formatting

Where and why Use Format example What to watch
Application code; a chosen fixed layout Python strftime() %Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S Python directives begin with %; support for some directives can vary by platform.
Application code; ISO-style representation Python isoformat() dt.isoformat() An aware datetime can include an offset; confirm that the receiving system accepts the resulting representation.
Django template; date or full datetime display Django date filter Y-m-d H:i:s Use Django’s codes, not Python’s. Predefined formats and output can depend on locale and configuration.
Django template; time-only display Django time filter Time-related Django format codes Timezone-related codes are also available for aware datetimes.

Format where it best fits the job: use Python when application logic needs a string, and a Django filter when the formatting belongs to rendered template output. Before choosing a format, decide whether the value is for a person or a machine, whether it should reflect a display timezone, and whether locale-dependent output is acceptable.

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Account for timezones and localization

A string can show a datetime in a particular timezone, include an offset, or omit timezone information; the method and format determine what appears. Aware and naive datetimes are not interchangeable: an aware value carries timezone information, while a naive one does not identify an unambiguous instant.

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When Django timezone support is enabled, Django converts aware datetimes to the current timezone during template rendering. It does not automatically convert naive datetimes. Django explains: “Django doesn’t convert naive datetime objects, because they could be ambiguous, and because your code should never produce naive datetimes when time zone support is enabled.” See the Django timezone documentation.

Django supports locale-aware formats and custom format definitions, so rendered output may depend on the active locale and project configuration. For machine-readable output, use an explicit stable format and define what timezone or offset it represents; a localized display format may not be consistent across locales. See the Django format localization documentation.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using Python codes in a Django template: %Y-%m-%d is Python syntax; Django’s equivalent date pattern is Y-m-d.
  • Using the wrong minute code: Python uses %M; Django uses i.
  • Assuming a formatted string retains timezone meaning: Check whether the chosen representation includes the needed offset, and choose the intended timezone before formatting.
  • Using locale-sensitive display output as a data contract: Prefer an explicit format when another program must parse the result consistently.

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