How to convert C# DateTime to "YYYYMMDDHHMMSS" format?

Converting a DateTime object to the "YYYYMMDDHHMMSS" format in C# is commonly needed for timestamps, file naming, and database operations. This format provides a compact, sortable representation of date and time without separators.

The ToString() method with custom format strings allows you to convert DateTime objects to any desired string format using specific format specifiers.

Syntax

Following is the syntax for converting DateTime to "YYYYMMDDHHMMSS" format −

DateTime dateTime = DateTime.Now;
string formattedDate = dateTime.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");

The format specifiers used are −

• yyyy − Four-digit year

• MM − Two-digit month (01-12)

• dd − Two-digit day (01-31)

• HH − Two-digit hour in 24-hour format (00-23)

• mm − Two-digit minute (00-59)

• ss − Two-digit second (00-59)

Using DateTime.ToString() Method

Example

using System;

class Program {
   static void Main() {
      DateTime d = DateTime.Now;
      string dateString = d.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");
      Console.WriteLine("Current DateTime in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format: " + dateString);
      
      // Using a specific date
      DateTime specificDate = new DateTime(2023, 8, 15, 14, 30, 45);
      string specificDateString = specificDate.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");
      Console.WriteLine("Specific DateTime: " + specificDateString);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Current DateTime in YYYYMMDDHHMMSS format: 20240115143027
Specific DateTime: 20230815143045

Using Different DateTime Sources

Example

using System;

class Program {
   static void Main() {
      // Using DateTime.Now
      string nowFormat = DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");
      Console.WriteLine("DateTime.Now: " + nowFormat);
      
      // Using DateTime.UtcNow
      string utcFormat = DateTime.UtcNow.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");
      Console.WriteLine("DateTime.UtcNow: " + utcFormat);
      
      // Using DateTime.Today with time
      DateTime todayWithTime = DateTime.Today.AddHours(9).AddMinutes(15).AddSeconds(30);
      string todayFormat = todayWithTime.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");
      Console.WriteLine("Today with specific time: " + todayFormat);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

DateTime.Now: 20240115143027
DateTime.UtcNow: 20240115193027
Today with specific time: 20240115091530

Common DateTime Format Variations

Using Custom Method for Reusability

Example

using System;

class DateTimeHelper {
   public static string ToTimestampFormat(DateTime dateTime) {
      return dateTime.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");
   }
   
   public static string ToTimestampFormat() {
      return DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss");
   }
}

class Program {
   static void Main() {
      // Using helper method with current time
      string currentTimestamp = DateTimeHelper.ToTimestampFormat();
      Console.WriteLine("Current timestamp: " + currentTimestamp);
      
      // Using helper method with specific date
      DateTime customDate = new DateTime(2023, 12, 25, 18, 45, 30);
      string customTimestamp = DateTimeHelper.ToTimestampFormat(customDate);
      Console.WriteLine("Custom timestamp: " + customTimestamp);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Current timestamp: 20240115143027
Custom timestamp: 20231225184530

Conclusion

Converting C# DateTime to "YYYYMMDDHHMMSS" format is accomplished using the ToString("yyyyMMddHHmmss") method. This compact format is ideal for timestamps, file naming, and sorting operations where a standardized date-time representation is required.