# Add a date merge tag

> Insert a dynamic date into a campaign or subject line, offset to past or future, formatted how you like.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-a-date-merge-tag
Updated: 2026-06-10

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The `[DATE]` merge tag inserts a dynamic date into your subject line or content - today's date, or one offset from it. It's perfect for recurring newsletters, event reminders and deadlines, saving you editing the date by hand each time. One limit: you can't use `[DATE]` inside a link.

## The syntax

The tag takes two parameters - a number and a format:

```
[DATE|0|format]
```

**The number** offsets the date in seconds from now: `0` is today, a positive number is the future, a negative number is the past.

**The format** controls how it's displayed, using PHP date conventions. Long-form dates like "Monday, June 10" are English-only.

## Examples

If today is 10 June 2013:

- `[DATE|86400|m.d.y]` shows **06.11.13** (86,400 seconds = 1 day ahead).
- `[DATE|-259200|F j, Y]` shows **June 07, 2013** (259,200 seconds = 3 days back).

## Common formats

| Format | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `Y-m-d` | 2013-06-10 | Year-month-day (numeric) |
| `F j, Y` | June 10, 2013 | Full month, day, year |
| `M d, Y` | Jun 10, 2013 | Short month, day, year |
| `m/d/Y` | 06/10/2013 | Month/day/year |
| `l, F j` | Monday, June 10 | Weekday, month, day |

## Handy intervals

- 1 day = 86,400 seconds
- 1 week = 604,800 seconds
- 30 days = 2,592,000 seconds

## Troubleshooting

**The date doesn't show, or shows wrong** - follow the `[DATE|seconds|format]` syntax exactly, separate the parameters with pipes, and use valid PHP format codes. Start with a simple format like `Y-m-d`.

**Wrong timezone** - dates use the server timezone, not the recipient's, so allow for that and for daylight saving.

**Calculations are off** - double-check your seconds (86,400 = 1 day), and use negative for past, positive for future.

For the full set of tags, see **[Add merge tags to a campaign](/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-merge-tags-to-a-campaign)**. Stuck? [Open a support ticket](/knowledgebase/getting-started/how-to-create-a-support-ticket-in-mykualo).

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/mailmachine-campaigns/add-a-date-merge-tag · © Kualo Ltd._