JavaScript Set Date Methods
Set Date methods let you set date values (years, months, days, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds) for a Date Object.
Set Date Methods
Set Date methods are used for setting a part of a date:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| setDate() | Set the day as a number (1-31) |
| setFullYear() | Set the year (optionally month and day) |
| setHours() | Set the hour (0-23) |
| setMilliseconds() | Set the milliseconds (0-999) |
| setMinutes() | Set the minutes (0-59) |
| setMonth() | Set the month (0-11) |
| setSeconds() | Set the seconds (0-59) |
| setTime() | Set the time (milliseconds since January 1, 1970) |
The setFullYear() Method
The setFullYear() method sets the year of a date object. In this example to 2020:
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setFullYear(2020);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
The setFullYear() method can optionally set month and day:
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setFullYear(2020, 11, 3);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
The setMonth() Method
The setMonth() method sets the month of a date object (0-11):
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setMonth(11);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
The setDate() Method
The setDate() method sets the day of a date object (1-31):
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setDate(20);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
The setDate() method can also be used to add days to a date:
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setDate(d.getDate() + 50);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
If adding days, shifts the month or year, the changes are handled automatically by the Date object.
The setHours() Method
The setHours() method sets the hours of a date object (0-23):
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setHours(22);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
The setMinutes() Method
The setMinutes() method sets the minutes of a date object (0-59):
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setMinutes(30);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
The setSeconds() Method
The setSeconds() method sets the seconds of a date object (0-59):
Example
<script>
var d = new Date();
d.setSeconds(30);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = d;
</script>
Try it Yourself »
Compare Dates
Dates can easily be compared.
The following example compares today's date with January 14, 2100:
Example
var today, someday, text;
today = new Date();
someday = new Date();
someday.setFullYear(2100, 0, 14);
if (someday > today) {
text = "Today is before January 14, 2100.";
} else {
text = "Today is after January 14, 2100.";
}
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = text;
Try it Yourself »
JavaScript counts months from 0 to 11. January is 0. December is 11.
Complete JavaScript Date Reference
For a complete reference, go to our Complete JavaScript Date Reference.
The reference contains descriptions and examples of all Date properties and methods.
