Python Get Current Time

1. Using datetime.now().time() (Standard Method)

Retrieves the current local time as a time object.

from datetime import datetime

current_time = datetime.now().time()
print(current_time)

Includes hours, minutes, seconds, and microseconds.

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2. Using strftime() for Formatted Time

from datetime import datetime

now = datetime.now()
formatted_time = now.strftime("%H:%M:%S")
print(formatted_time)

Ideal for logs and UI display.

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3. 12-Hour Format with AM/PM

from datetime import datetime

time_12_hour = datetime.now().strftime("%I:%M %p")
print(time_12_hour)

Common in user-facing applications.

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4. Using the time Module (System Clock)

import time

current_time = time.strftime("%H:%M:%S")
print(current_time)

Reads the system clock directly.

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5. Get Only Hour, Minute, Second

from datetime import datetime

now = datetime.now()

print("Hour:", now.hour)
print("Minute:", now.minute)
print("Second:", now.second)

Useful for conditional logic and scheduling.

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6. Get Current UTC Time

from datetime import datetime

utc_time = datetime.utcnow().time()
print(utc_time)

Recommended for distributed and API-based systems.

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7. Timezone-Aware Current Time

from datetime import datetime
from zoneinfo import ZoneInfo

tokyo_time = datetime.now(ZoneInfo("Asia/Tokyo")).time()
print(tokyo_time)

Ensures accurate time across regions.

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8. Current Time with Microseconds

from datetime import datetime

now = datetime.now()
print(now.strftime("%H:%M:%S.%f"))

Used in high-precision logging.

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9. UNIX Time (Epoch Seconds)

import time

epoch_time = time.time()
print(epoch_time)

Represents time in seconds since Jan 1, 1970.

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10. Enterprise Logging Example (Time-Only Logger)

from datetime import datetime

def log_event(event):
    current_time = datetime.now().strftime("%H:%M:%S")
    print(f"[{current_time}] {event}")

log_event("Service initialized")
log_event("Task executed")

Standard pattern for time-stamped events.

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Summary Table

Method	Output	Best Use Case
datetime.now().time()	time object	Full time object
time.strftime()	formatted string	Display purposes
datetime.utcnow().time()	time object	UTC-based systems
time.time()	float	Epoch time
strftime("%I:%M %p")	string	User-friendly output

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Best Practices

• Use timezone-aware times for global systems

• Prefer UTC for backend storage

• Format time only at presentation layer

• Avoid relying solely on system locale defaults

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