---
title: "CFDateGetAbsoluteTime(_:)"
framework: corefoundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Function
path: "corefoundation/cfdategetabsolutetime(_:)"
---

# CFDateGetAbsoluteTime(_:)

Returns a CFDate object’s absolute time.

## Declaration

```swift
func CFDateGetAbsoluteTime(_ theDate: CFDate!) -> CFAbsoluteTime
```

## Parameters

- `theDate`: The date to examine.

## Return Value

Return Value The absolute time of theDate.

## Discussion

Discussion Absolute time is measured in seconds relative to the absolute reference date of Jan 1 2001 00:00:00 GMT. A positive value represents a date after the reference date, a negative value represents a date before it. For example, the absolute time -32940326 is equivalent to December 16th, 1999 at 17:54:34.

## See Also

### CFDate Miscellaneous Functions

- [CFDateCompare(_:_:_:)](corefoundation/cfdatecompare(_:_:_:).md)
- [CFDateCreate(_:_:)](corefoundation/cfdatecreate(_:_:).md)
- [CFDateGetTimeIntervalSinceDate(_:_:)](corefoundation/cfdategettimeintervalsincedate(_:_:).md)
- [CFDateGetTypeID()](corefoundation/cfdategettypeid().md)