# Date.parse method

The `Date.parse` method returns the number of milliseconds before the date passed in the parameter as an ISO format string. ISO format looks like this: 'YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.sssZ', where: 'YYYY-MM-DD' - date; 'Т' - separator; 'HH:mm:ss.sss' - time; 'Z' - time zone. It is not necessary to send the full format, just send 'YYYY-MM-DD' or just YYYY.

## Syntax

`Date.parse('YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.sssZ');`

## Example

Let's use the `Date.parse` method to find out how many milliseconds have passed from `1` January `1970` to `11/16/2016`, `12:59:59`:

`let res = Date.parse('2016-11-16T12:59:59'); console.log(res);`

The code execution result:

`1479290399000`

## Example

And now let's output the number of milliseconds, specifying only the year:

`let res = Date.parse('2016'); console.log(res);`

The code execution result:

`1451606400000`

## Example

Let's set the `Date.parse` method parameter to wrong date:

`let res = Date.parse('20162016'); console.log(res);`

The code execution result:

`NaN`

## See also

- the `getTime` method
  that also obtains the timestamp
- the `Date.now` method
  that also obtains the timestamp

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