# current_timestamp

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [cloud-data-platform-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/cloud-data-platform-full.txt)

---
title: current_timestamp
latest-operator-version: v26.1.4
latest-console-tag: v3.7.3
latest-connect-version: 4.93.0
latest-redpanda-tag: v26.1.9
docname: sql/sql-functions/timestamp-functions/current-timestamp
page-component-name: cloud-data-platform
page-version: master
page-component-version: master
page-component-title: Cloud
page-relative-src-path: sql/sql-functions/timestamp-functions/current-timestamp.adoc
page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/cloud-docs/edit/main/modules/reference/pages/sql/sql-functions/timestamp-functions/current-timestamp.adoc
description: The `current_timestamp()` returns the current timestamp value representing the date and time the query was executed.
page-topic-type: reference
page-git-created-date: "2026-05-26"
page-git-modified-date: "2026-05-26"
---

<!-- Source: https://docs.redpanda.com/cloud-data-platform/reference/sql/sql-functions/timestamp-functions/current-timestamp.md -->

The `current_timestamp()` returns the current timestamp value representing the date and time the query was executed.

> 📝 **NOTE**
>
> Note that the time returned by this function is the time when the query was executed.

## [](#syntax)Syntax

```sql
CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
CURRENT_TIMESTAMP()
CURRENT_TIMESTAMP(precision)
```

## [](#arguments)Arguments

-   `precision`: Optional. An integer literal from 0 to 6 that controls how many fractional-second digits to include. When omitted, the function returns full microsecond precision (6 digits).


## [](#examples)Examples

### [](#default-precision)Default precision

This example returns the current date and time with full microsecond precision:

```sql
SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP AS "Current Time";
```

The final result will display the current date and time in the timezone in which it was issued:

```sql
-----------------------------
 Current Time
-----------------------------
 2022-08-31 16:56:06.464016
-----------------------------
```

### [](#truncated-precision)Truncated precision

This example returns the current timestamp with no fractional seconds:

```sql
SELECT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP(0) AS "Current Time";
```

```sql
---------------------
 Current Time
---------------------
 2022-08-31 16:56:06
---------------------
```