JavaScript date.toJSON() method converts the given date object’s contents into a string. The date object is created using the date() constructor.

Syntax:

dateObj.toJSON()

Parameters:

This method does not accept any parameter. It is just used along with a Date object created using the Date() constructor.

Return Value:

It returns the converted string of Date() constructor contents.

Note: The DateObj is a valid Date object created using the Date() constructor whose contents are converted into a string.

Example 1: This example shows the use of JavaScript Date toJSON() Method.

// Here a date has been assigned
// while creating Date object
let dateobj =
    new Date('October 15, 1996 05:35:32');

// Contents of above date object is converted
// into a string using toJSON() method.
let B = dateobj.toJSON();

// Printing the converted string.
console.log(B);

Output:

1996-10-15T00:05:32.000Z

Example 2: Here nothing as a parameter is passed while creating a date object but still toJSON() method returns the current day name, month name, date, year, and time.

// Here nothing has been assigned
// while creating Date object
let dateobj = new Date();

// Contents of above date object is
// converted into a string using toJSON() method.
let B = dateobj.toJSON();

// Printing the converted string.
console.log(B);

Output:

2018-04-23T11:24:14.955Z

Example 3: When some random list of values is passed, then the toJSON() method returns the corresponding produced string. The format for the Date() constructor is like Date(month, date, year, time). By following this format some values is given in the below program and the corresponding string is produced as output. The time format should be like (number:number: number).

// Here some different values has been
// assigned while creating Date object
let dateobj1 = new Date('1');
let dateobj2 = new Date('2, 3');
let dateobj3 = new Date('4, 5, 6');
let dateobj4 = new Date('4, 5, 6, 11:00:12');
let dateobj5 = new Date('12, 5, 4, 0:0');

// Contents of above date objects is converted
// into strings using toJSON() method.
let B = dateobj1.toJSON();
let C = dateobj2.toJSON();
let D = dateobj3.toJSON();
let E = dateobj4.toJSON();
let F = dateobj5.toJSON();

// Printing the converted string.
console.log(B);
console.log(C);
console.log(D);
console.log(E);
console.log(F);

Output:

2000-12-31T18:30:00.000Z
2001-02-02T18:30:00.000Z
2006-04-04T18:30:00.000Z
2006-04-05T05:30:12.000Z
2004-12-04T18:30:00.000Z

Note: Months, Dates, hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds must be in their respective range of 0 to 11 for months, 1 to 31 for dates, 0 to 23 for hours, 0 to 59 for minutes, 0 to 59 seconds, 0 to 999 for milliseconds otherwise toJSON() method return null.

Example 4: Here date is given as of 45 which is out of range of the date that is why the below code gives the output as null.

// Here a date has been assigned
// while creating a Date object
let dateobj =
    new Date('October 45, 1996 05:35:32');

// Contents of above date object is converted
// into a string using toJSON() method.
let B = dateobj.toJSON();

// Printing the converted string.
console.log(B);

Output:

null

Supported Browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Opera
• Safari

JavaScript Date toJSON() Method- FAQs

What is the toJSON() method in JavaScript?

The toJSON() method returns a string representation of the Date object in ISO format (UTC time).

How do you use the toJSON() method?

You use it by calling the method on a Date object:

let jsonString = new Date().toJSON();

What format does toJSON() return?

It returns a string in the format “YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.sssZ”, where:

• YYYY is the four-digit year,
• MM is the two-digit month (01 to 12),
• DD is the two-digit day of the month (01 to 31),
• THH:mm:ss.sss is the time in hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds,
• Z represents UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).

Can toJSON() be used to convert a Date object to a JSON string?

Yes, toJSON() is often used to convert a Date object to a format suitable for JSON serialization.

Does toJSON() account for time zones?

Yes, toJSON() returns the date and time in UTC format (Z indicates UTC), regardless of the local time zone where the code is executed.

We have a complete list of Javascript Date Objects, to check those please go through this Javascript Date Object Complete reference article.