How to add time in minutes in datetime string PHP?

In PHP, you can add minutes to a datetime string using the strtotime() function or the DateTime class. The strtotime() method provides a simple way to parse time expressions and add time intervals.

Syntax

$result = strtotime('datetime_string + X minute');

You can replace X with any integer value representing the number of minutes to add.

Using strtotime()

Here's how to add minutes to a datetime string using strtotime() ?

<?php
$addingFiveMinutes = strtotime('2020-10-30 10:10:20 + 5 minute');
echo date('Y-m-d H:i:s', $addingFiveMinutes);
?>
2020-10-30 10:15:20

Using DateTime Class

Alternatively, you can use the DateTime class for more object-oriented approach ?

<?php
$date = new DateTime('2020-10-30 10:10:20');
$date->add(new DateInterval('PT10M')); // Add 10 minutes
echo $date->format('Y-m-d H:i:s');
?>
2020-10-30 10:20:20

Adding Different Time Intervals

You can add various time intervals using strtotime() ?

<?php
$originalTime = '2020-10-30 10:10:20';

// Add 15 minutes
$add15Minutes = strtotime($originalTime . ' + 15 minute');
echo "Original: " . $originalTime . "
"; echo "Add 15 minutes: " . date('Y-m-d H:i:s', $add15Minutes) . "
"; // Add 1 hour $add1Hour = strtotime($originalTime . ' + 1 hour'); echo "Add 1 hour: " . date('Y-m-d H:i:s', $add1Hour) . "
"; ?>
Original: 2020-10-30 10:10:20
Add 15 minutes: 2020-10-30 10:25:20
Add 1 hour: 2020-10-30 11:10:20

Conclusion

Both strtotime() and DateTime class provide effective ways to add minutes to datetime strings in PHP. Use strtotime() for simple operations and DateTime for more complex date manipulations.

Updated on: 2026-03-15T09:37:12+05:30

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