Difference Between GETDATE() vs CURRENT_TIMESTAMP.

Question

Ravi Vishwakarma · Answer

In Microsoft Microsoft SQL Server, both GETDATE() and CURRENT_TIMESTAMP return the current system date and time.

But there are some differences.

GETDATE() vs CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

SELECT GETDATE();

Example Output:

2026-05-09 11:30:25.123

SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;

Example Output:

2026-05-09 11:30:25.123

In SQL Server:

SELECT GETDATE() = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;

Result:

Both return the same value.

INSERT INTO Orders(OrderDate)
VALUES(GETDATE());

OR

INSERT INTO Orders(OrderDate)
VALUES(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP);

Situation	Recommended
Pure SQL Server application	`GETDATE()`
Cross-database compatible SQL	`CURRENT_TIMESTAMP`
Following ANSI standards	`CURRENT_TIMESTAMP`

SELECT SYSDATETIME();

Returns:

2026-05-09 11:30:25.1234567

GETDATE() only returns milliseconds precision.