Get N Hours, Minutes & Seconds Earlier as datetime Object in Python (3 Examples)
In this Python tutorial, you’ll learn how to subtract a specific number of seconds, minutes, and hours from a datetime object in the Python programming language.
Preparing the Examples
import datetime # Load datetime
The data below will be used for the examples of this article:
datetime_x = datetime.datetime(2022, 4, 12, 22, 28, 45) # Construct datetime object print(datetime_x) # 2022-04-12 22:28:45
Example 1: Subtract N Hours from datetime object
Before we can subtract a certain amount of hours, minutes, or seconds from our datetime object, we need to import the timedelta() function:
from datetime import timedelta # Load timedelta
To get the time N hours ago, we can apply the timedelta() function in combination with the hours argument:
datetime_x_hrs = datetime_x - timedelta(hours = 5) # Get 5 hours ago print(datetime_x_hrs) # 2022-04-12 17:28:45
Example 2: Subtract N Minutes from datetime object
To subtract minutes from our datetime object, we use the timedelta() function combined with the minutes argument.
datetime_x_min = datetime_x - timedelta(minutes = 35) # Get 35 minutes ago print(datetime_x_min) # 2022-04-12 21:53:45
Example 3: Subtract N Seconds from datetime object
And for subtracting N seconds from the datetime object, we apply the timedelta() function within the seconds argument:
datetime_x_sec = datetime_x - timedelta(seconds = 20) # Get 20 seconds ago print(datetime_x_sec) # 2022-04-12 22:28:25
Further Resources
Please find some related tutorials below.
- Add Hours, Minutes & Seconds to datetime Object in Python (3 Examples)
- Get Time Difference Between Two Dates & Times in Python (datetime Module)
- How to Add Days, Months & Years to a datetime Object in Python (3 Examples)
- Transform datetime Object to Hours Minutes or Seconds in Python (3 Examples)
Note: This article was created in collaboration with Matthias Bäuerlen. Matthias is a programmer who helps to create tutorials on the Python programming language. You might find more info about Matthias and his other articles on his profile page.