---
title: date
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Type Method
path: foundation/nsdate/date
---

# date

Creates and returns a new date object set to the current date and time.

## Declaration

```occ
+ (instancetype) date;
```

## Return Value

Return Value A new date object set to the current date and time.

## Discussion

Discussion This method uses the default initializer method for the class, init(). The following code sample shows how to use date to get the current date: NSDate *today = [NSDate date];

## See Also

### Related Documentation

- [Date and Time Programming Guide](apple-archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/DatesAndTimes.md)
- [Property List Programming Guide](apple-archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/PropertyLists/Introduction.md)

### Creating a Date

- [dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow:](foundation/nsdate/datewithtimeintervalsincenow:.md)
- [dateWithTimeIntervalSinceReferenceDate:](foundation/nsdate/datewithtimeintervalsincereferencedate:.md)
- [dateWithTimeIntervalSince1970:](foundation/nsdate/datewithtimeintervalsince1970:.md)