> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/system-tables/sys-schema/sys-schema-stored-functions/format_time.md).

# format\_time

{% hint style="info" %}
Sys Schema is available from MariaDB 10.6.
{% endhint %}

## Syntax

```
sys.format_time(picoseconds)
```

## Description

`format_time` is a [stored function](/docs/server/server-usage/stored-routines/stored-functions.md) available with the [Sys Schema](/docs/server/reference/system-tables/sys-schema.md). Given a time in picoseconds, returns a human-readable time value and unit indicator. Unit can be:

* ps - picoseconds
* ns - nanoseconds
* us - microseconds
* ms - milliseconds
* s - seconds
* m - minutes
* h - hours
* d - days
* w - weeks

This function is very similar to the [FORMAT\_PICO\_TIME](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/date-time-functions/format_pico_time.md) function introduced in [MariaDB 11.0.2](/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/11.0/11.0.2.md), but with the following differences:

* Represents minutes as `m` rather than `min`.
* Represent weeks.

## Examples

```sql
SELECT
    sys.format_time(43) AS ps,
    sys.format_time(4321) AS ns, 
    sys.format_time(43211234) AS us,
    sys.format_time(432112344321) AS ms,
    sys.format_time(43211234432123) AS s,
    sys.format_time(432112344321234) AS m,
    sys.format_time(4321123443212345) AS h,
    sys.format_time(432112344321234545) AS d,
    sys.format_time(43211234432123444543) AS w;
+-------+---------+----------+-----------+---------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| ps    | ns      | us       | ms        | s       | m      | h      | d      | w       |
+-------+---------+----------+-----------+---------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| 43 ps | 4.32 ns | 43.21 us | 432.11 ms | 43.21 s | 7.20 m | 1.20 h | 5.00 d | 71.45 w |
+-------+---------+----------+-----------+---------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
```

<sub>*This page is licensed: CC BY-SA / Gnu FDL*</sub>

{% @marketo/form formId="4316" %}