---
title: "Difference Between GETDATE() vs CURRENT_TIMESTAMP."  
description: "Difference Between GETDATE() vs CURRENT_TIMESTAMP."  
author: "ICSM Computer"  
published: 2026-05-09  
updated: 2026-05-09  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34507/difference-between-getdate-vs-current_timestamp  
category: "database"  
tags: ["database", "sql server"]  
reading_time: 4 minutes  

---

# Difference Between GETDATE() vs CURRENT_TIMESTAMP.

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

| Feature | GETDATE() | CURRENT_TIMESTAMP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Type | Function | ANSI SQL standard keyword |
| Parentheses Required | Yes `()` | No |
| SQL Standard | SQL Server specific | ANSI standard |
| Return Type | `datetime` | `datetime` |
| Precision | Same | Same |
| Usage | Common in SQL Server | Better for portability |

## Example

## GETDATE()

```plaintext
SELECT GETDATE();
```

Example Output:

```plaintext
2026-05-09 11:30:25.123
```

## CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

```plaintext
SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;
```

Example Output:

```plaintext
2026-05-09 11:30:25.123
```

## Key Difference

## GETDATE()

- SQL Server proprietary function
- Requires parentheses
- Mostly used in SQL Server projects

## CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

- ANSI SQL standard
- Works across many databases
- Better for cross-database compatibility

## Internally

In SQL Server:

```plaintext
SELECT GETDATE() = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;
```

Result:

```plaintext
1
```

Both return the same value.

## Practical Example

## Insert Current Date

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

OR

```plaintext
INSERT INTO Orders(OrderDate)
VALUES(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP);
```

## Which One Should You Use?

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

## Related Functions

| Function | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `GETDATE()` | Current date & time |
| `SYSDATETIME()` | Higher precision datetime |
| `GETUTCDATE()` | Current UTC date/time |
| `CURRENT_TIMESTAMP` | ANSI current datetime |

## Higher Precision Example

```plaintext
SELECT SYSDATETIME();
```

Returns:

```plaintext
2026-05-09 11:30:25.1234567
```

`GETDATE()` only returns milliseconds precision.

## Answers

### Answer by ICSM Computer

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

| Feature | GETDATE() | CURRENT_TIMESTAMP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Type | Function | ANSI SQL standard keyword |
| Parentheses Required | Yes `()` | No |
| SQL Standard | SQL Server specific | ANSI standard |
| Return Type | `datetime` | `datetime` |
| Precision | Same | Same |
| Usage | Common in SQL Server | Better for portability |

## Example

## GETDATE()

```plaintext
SELECT GETDATE();
```

Example Output:

```plaintext
2026-05-09 11:30:25.123
```

## CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

```plaintext
SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;
```

Example Output:

```plaintext
2026-05-09 11:30:25.123
```

## Key Difference

## GETDATE()

- SQL Server proprietary function
- Requires parentheses
- Mostly used in SQL Server projects

## CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

- ANSI SQL standard
- Works across many databases
- Better for cross-database compatibility

## Internally

In SQL Server:

```plaintext
SELECT GETDATE() = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;
```

Result:

```plaintext
1
```

Both return the same value.

## Practical Example

## Insert Current Date

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

OR

```plaintext
INSERT INTO Orders(OrderDate)
VALUES(CURRENT_TIMESTAMP);
```

## Which One Should You Use?

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

## Related Functions

| Function | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `GETDATE()` | Current date & time |
| `SYSDATETIME()` | Higher precision datetime |
| `GETUTCDATE()` | Current UTC date/time |
| `CURRENT_TIMESTAMP` | ANSI current datetime |

## Higher Precision Example

```plaintext
SELECT SYSDATETIME();
```

Returns:

```plaintext
2026-05-09 11:30:25.1234567
```

`GETDATE()` only returns milliseconds precision.


---

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