toGMTString()
toGMTString() is a legacy Date method for producing a GMT-style string. Modern code should prefer toUTCString() or explicit formatting utilities.
Overview
toGMTString() is a legacy Date method for producing a GMT-style string. Modern code should prefer toUTCString() or explicit formatting utilities.
Browser support
| Feature | Desktop | Mobile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Safari | Chrome Android | Safari iOS | |
javascript.builtins.Date.toGMTString Deprecated | 1 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 1 |
1+Supported (version) Not supported ※Has note Sub-feature descriptions sourced from MDN Web Docs (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Syntax
JAVASCRIPT
// toGMTString() example
// See MDN Web Docs for detailsLive demo
Compare toGMTString and toUTCString
Show that the legacy method mirrors the modern UTC string formatter.
JavaScript
Output
Press the Run button
Format the current time
Generate a GMT-style timestamp for the current date.
JavaScript
Output
Press the Run button
Store legacy timestamp labels
Create a small audit log with human-readable timestamps.
JavaScript
Output
Press the Run button
Use cases
Legacy output review
Understand older date formatting code before replacing it with clearer UTC-oriented methods.
Compatibility migrations
Preserve historical serialized output temporarily while modernizing a system.
Cautions
- Legacy date-formatting names make intent less clear than explicit UTC formatting APIs.
- Prefer modern formatting so date output rules remain easy to maintain and localize.
Accessibility
- Readable and correct date formatting helps all users, especially when dates are announced by assistive tools.
- Do not keep legacy formatting if it produces ambiguous strings in user-facing UI.
Related links
Powered by web-features