{"id":584,"date":"2017-03-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hostinger.io\/hostinger-tutorials\/uncategorized\/htaccesshow-to-change-timezone-using-htaccess\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T19:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T19:20:09","slug":"php-set-timezone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/ng\/tutorials\/php-set-timezone","title":{"rendered":"How to set PHP timezone using PHP function, .htaccess, and php.ini files"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHP defaults to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) regardless of your server’s timezone. Configuring the PHP timezone accurately is crucial for precise data management and time-sensitive operations like logging and scheduling.<\/p>

This practice is especially vital for web applications with global audiences outside the UTC timezone. For instance, it makes handling daylight saving time easier.<\/p>

You can change your website’s PHP timezone settings using the PHP function<\/strong> or by modifying the .htaccess<\/strong> or php.ini files<\/strong>. This article will explore each method so that you can choose the most suitable one for your needs.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>

\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

How to Set PHP Timezone Using a PHP Function<\/h2>

The date_default_timezone_set()<\/strong> function sets a script’s default timezone for all date and time functions. It ensures accurate handling of time-related data in PHP web applications, even if your web hosting server is in a different timezone than you or your target audience.<\/p>

The list of supported timezones<\/a> is available on PHP’s official website. Double-check using the timezone abbreviation list<\/a> to ensure you select the correct timezone.<\/p>

Here’s an example of how to use the date_default_timezone_set()<\/strong> function:<\/p>

<?php\ndate_default_timezone_set('America\/New_York');\n?><\/pre>
If you’re working on a standalone PHP script or a simple project, place the function at the top of your file before any timezone-related PHP functions are called. However, setting the timezone in the configuration or bootstrap<\/a> file is best for larger projects.<\/p>
You can find your website’s configuration file<\/a> in the root directory called public_html<\/strong>. While the file name varies depending on the CMS used, it’s usually named config.php<\/strong>.<\/p>
How to Change PHP date.timezone With the .htaccess File<\/h2>
Changing the PHP date.timezone<\/strong> setting using the .htaccess<\/strong> file is often done in shared hosting environments where the php.ini<\/strong> file is inaccessible. The .htaccess<\/strong> file lets you override server configurations for specific directories, including the timezone setting.<\/p>
The .htaccess<\/strong> file is accessible using a file manager, an FTP client, and SSH. Using the hosting account’s file manager should be the easiest method for beginners.<\/p>
How to Change PHP date.timezone Using File Manager<\/h3>
Here’s how to change your website’s default timezone in the .htaccess<\/strong> file using Hostinger’s File Manager<\/a>:<\/p>
    \n
  1. Navigate to Files<\/strong> → File Manager<\/strong> from hPanel<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Select Access files of [your website]<\/strong> to browse directories on that specific site.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
    \"Accessing<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
      \n
    1. Access the public_html<\/strong> directory and double-click the .htaccess<\/strong> file to edit. Create a new .htaccess file<\/a> if it’s not already present.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
      \"Hostinger<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
        \n
      1. Enter the following script at the very top of the file. In this example, we’re setting the timezone to Central Standard Time (CST) using America\/Chicago<\/strong> as the parameter. Browse the timezone list to verify whether PHP supports your desired timezone.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
        php_value date.timezone 'country\/state'<\/pre>
        \"Adding<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
          \n
        1. Hit Save <\/strong>once you’re done.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
          \"Hostinger<\/a><\/figure>
          How to Change PHP date.timezone Using an FTP Client<\/h3>
          You can also modify the PHP timezone setting by editing the .htaccess<\/strong> file with an FTP client, such as FileZilla. Hostinger users can find their FTP details in Files <\/strong>→ FTP Accounts<\/strong> on hPanel.<\/p>
          Here’s how to modify the PHP default timezone in the .htaccess<\/strong> file using the FileZilla FTP client:<\/p>
            \n
          1. Configure FileZilla<\/a> and connect to the FTP web server.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Locate the .htaccess<\/strong> file in the public_html<\/strong> directory. Right-click on it and select View\/Edit<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
            \"Editing<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
              \n
            1. Set the timezone by entering the following script at the very top of the scripts. Don’t forget to change the date.timezone<\/strong> value with your preferred location.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
              php_value date.timezone 'country\/state'<\/pre>
                \n
              1. Check the Finish editing and delete local file <\/strong>option before saving the changes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                \"Saving<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
                How to Change PHP date.timezone Using SSH<\/h3>
                Secure Shell Protocol (SSH)<\/a> is a remote administration protocol that provides direct access and control over server files. It ensures secure data transmission across remote servers from the terminal window, making it a popular choice for experienced command-line users.<\/p>
                In this tutorial, we’re using PuTTY<\/a>, a popular SSH client. Check out our article on how to use the PuTTY SSH client<\/a> to access your server.<\/p>
                Follow these steps to change the date.timezone<\/strong> value with the PuTTY SSH client:<\/p>
                  \n
                1. Establish an SSH connection. Hostinger users can find their SSH details in Advanced <\/strong>→ SSH Access<\/strong> on hPanel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Enter the following command to check your server’s timezone.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                  php -i | grep \"date.timezone\"<\/pre>
                    \n
                  1. Use this command to see all the available time zones. Take note of the one you want to use.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                    timedatectl list-timezones<\/pre>
                      \n
                    1. Input this command to set the timezone. Replace the timezone identifier based on your preference in Step 3.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
                      timedatectl set-timezone [region\/location]<\/pre>
                      If you encounter an error during the configuration process, try these solutions:<\/p>