date_default_timezone_get() function to read default time zone of server

The time zone of the server running the script can be collected by using date_default_timezone_get() function. Sample code

<?Php
echo date_default_timezone_get();
?>

If your error reporting is on then you will warning message saying

date_default_timezone_get(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings.
You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. 
In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, 
you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier.

So it is always better to set your own timezone by using date_default_timezone_set() function before using any date functions in your script.

Example: Getting the Server's Default Time Zone

$timezone = date_default_timezone_get();
echo "The server's default time zone is: " . $timezone;

Example: Setting and Retrieving Time Zone

date_default_timezone_set('Asia/Kolkata');
echo "Current time zone is: " . date_default_timezone_get();

Output

Current time zone is: Asia/Kolkata

List of Supported Timezones at php.net

These examples provide practical use cases for verifying and setting time zones.

Example: Listing All Available Time Zones

$timezones = timezone_identifiers_list();
print_r($timezones);

Or to display as list

$timezones = timezone_identifiers_list();
foreach($timezones as $key=>$value){
	echo "$key : $value".'<br>';
}

Creating a dropdown list for user selection of Timezone
PHP Date Functions date_default_timezone_set() Set the time zone

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

About the author Watch on YouTube

Connect:

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here