Discord Timestamps: Creating Dynamic Time References

Discord timestamps are a powerful feature that automatically displays time in each user's local timezone. Instead of saying "let's meet at 3 PM EST," you can use a timestamp that shows the correct time for everyone, regardless of where they are in the world.

Discord Timestamp Format

Discord uses Unix timestamps (seconds since January 1, 1970) wrapped in special syntax. The basic format is: <t:TIMESTAMP:FORMAT>

Where:

• TIMESTAMP is the Unix timestamp (in seconds)
• FORMAT is a single letter that determines how the time is displayed

Available Format Styles

Discord provides several format options to display timestamps in different ways:

Full Date Time (F)

• Format: <t:1234567890:F>
• Example: "Sunday, January 1, 2024 1:00 PM"
• Best for: Formal event announcements or when maximum clarity is needed

Short Date Time (f)

• Format: <t:1234567890:f>
• Example: "January 1, 2024 1:00 PM"
• Best for: General purpose date and time references

Long Date (D)

• Format: <t:1234567890:D>
• Example: "January 1, 2024"
• Best for: When only the date matters, not the time

Short Date (d)

• Format: <t:1234567890:d>
• Example: "1/1/2024"
• Best for: Compact date-only references

Long Time (T)

• Format: <t:1234567890:T>
• Example: "1:00:00 PM"
• Best for: Precise time references including seconds

Short Time (t)

• Format: <t:1234567890:t>
• Example: "1:00 PM"
• Best for: Quick time references

Relative Time (R)

• Format: <t:1234567890:R>
• Example: "2 hours ago" or "in 3 days"
• Best for: Showing how long ago something happened or how far in the future it is

Common Use Cases

Discord timestamps are particularly useful for:

1. Event Planning

   • Schedule meetings across different timezones
   • Set up gaming sessions with international friends
   • Organize community events

2. Deadlines

   • Set submission deadlines for contests
   • Announce registration cutoff times
   • Remind about upcoming due dates

3. Stream Schedules

   • Announce streaming times that work for all viewers
   • Set up recurring schedule announcements
   • Coordinate multi-streamer events

4. Server Maintenance

   • Announce server downtime
   • Schedule bot maintenance
   • Coordinate moderator shifts

Best Practices

1. Choose the Right Format

   • Use relative time (R) for near-future events
   • Use full date time (F) for important formal events
   • Use short formats (t, d) for quick references

2. Timezone Consideration

   • Remember that users will see the time in their local timezone
   • No need to specify timezone in your message
   • Test the timestamp in different timezones if possible

3. Message Context

   • Include clear context around the timestamp
   • Consider adding a brief description of the event/deadline
   • Use appropriate formatting (bold, italics) to make timestamps stand out

Technical Details

• Timestamps must be in Unix time (seconds since epoch)
• The maximum supported date is January 19, 2038 (due to 32-bit Unix time limitations)
• Timestamps are automatically adjusted for daylight saving time
• The feature works in both messages and embeds

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Invalid Timestamp

   • Ensure you're using Unix time in seconds, not milliseconds
   • Verify the timestamp format is correct
   • Check that the date is within the supported range

2. Display Issues

   • Make sure Discord is up to date
   • Verify the format letter is lowercase
   • Check that the entire timestamp syntax is correct

3. Future Dates

   • Remember to use positive timestamps for future dates
   • Test the timestamp before sending important announcements
   • Consider using relative time for better context

Remember to use our Discord Timestamp Generator tool to easily create and test timestamps for your Discord messages!