Get String in YYYYMMDD Format from JS Date Object?

Reusable Approach via Prototype Extension

More into reusable tools? Consider extending the Date object's prototype. It's like taking your Swiss Army knife to the next level:

// "Just when you thought dates couldn't get any more versatile...😅"
Date.prototype.toYYYYMMDD = function() {
  return this.toISOString().slice(0, 10).replace(/-/g, '');
};

const date = new Date();
const ymd = date.toYYYYMMDD(); // Outputs "20230415", isn't it cool?


This way, you just created a powerful method that enables you to format any JavaScript date object directly—clean, handy, and no manual concatenation needed.

Zero-padding for Consistency

What about single-digit months and days? Fear not, here's a solution that ensures a two-digit format by adding some zero-padding action:

// "Refined luxury? No, that's just some zero-padding magic 😌"
function zeroPad(value) {
  return value.toString().padStart(2, '0');
}

const date = new Date();
const ymd = `${date.getFullYear()}${zeroPad(date.getMonth() + 1)}${zeroPad(date.getDate())}`;


This snippet guarantees both months and days will remain two digits. Gotcha, YYYYMMDD!

Locale Aware Formatting

Choose a route that navigates with localization in mind? Use Date.prototype.toLocaleString() empowered by regex:

// "From Sweden with love...and some regex too! 😜"
const date = new Date();
const ymd = date.toLocaleString('sv-SE').replace(/\D/g, '');
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This leverages the Swedish (sv-SE) localization of toLocaleString and a regex removing all non-digit characters, leaving you with the "YYYYMMDD" format.

Built-in Versus Libraries: Saving Bandwidth

Some might propose using a library like moment.js for date formatting, and while these are great, they might be overkill for simple tasks:

// Remember that saying about using a rocket to kill a mosquito? Yeah, that's it.
const ymd = moment().format('YYYYMMDD');
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For small tasks such as formatting a date as "YYYYMMDD", stick with built-in JavaScript methods — you have very few dependencies and a much leaner project.

TimeZone Matters - Local and UTC Dates

Get a touch of sophistication and adjust your formatted dates to local time:

// "Who needs a time-travel machine when you can simply adjust your TimeZone? 🤔"
const date = new Date();
const localISODate = new Date(date.getTime() - date.getTimezoneOffset() * 60000).toISOString();
const ymd = localISODate.slice(0, 10).replace(/-/g, ''); // "YYYYMMDD" in local time


Beware of the Ghosts - Deprecated Methods

Bear in mind not to use anything expired. Deprecated methods are like zombies. They're dead, but they still walk around:

year = date.getYear(); // 👻 Don't do this, it's haunted!
year = date.getFullYear(); // 🥳 This one's safe, you can sleep well.
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Keep it Simple, Silly - Code Readability

Making it readable is making it beautiful. Opt for straightforward, concise methods - less means more, definitely!

const date = new Date();
// "Who knew date formatting could be a piece of art? 🎨"
const ymd = `${date.getFullYear()}${zeroPad(date.getMonth() + 1)}${zeroPad(date.getDate())}`;


Standards and Document Requirements - Know your needs!

Ensure your formatting method fits into your project's standard date display requirements. YYYYMMDD is like the black dress or blue jeans of date formats—timeless, versatile, and always a perfect fit.