# Setting the MySQL time zone for your website

> Make MySQL dates and times match your local time on shared hosting, by setting the time zone for each connection in PHP, WordPress or SQL.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/databases/setting-the-mysql-time-zone/

The database server on shared hosting runs in **UTC** for everyone, so `NOW()` and automatic timestamps may be an hour or more different from your local time. For example, Nigeria (West Africa Time) is **UTC+1**.

You can't change the server's own time zone on shared hosting, but you can set the time zone **for your website's connection**, which is all your website needs.

## Check the current time zone

In phpMyAdmin, open the **SQL** tab and run:

```sql
SELECT NOW(), @@global.time_zone, @@session.time_zone;
```

## Set it for one connection

Run this straight after your app connects to the database:

```sql
SET time_zone = '+01:00';
```

Use an offset such as `+01:00` (Lagos), `+00:00` (London in winter) or `-05:00` (New York in winter). Named time zones such as `Africa/Lagos` may not be available, and offsets always work.

Offsets don't change for daylight saving time. If your location has daylight saving, it's usually better to store dates in **UTC** and convert them in your app, as described below.

## In PHP

Set both PHP's and MySQL's time zone, so they match:

```php
date_default_timezone_set('Africa/Lagos');

// PDO
$pdo = new PDO('mysql:host=localhost;dbname=your_database;charset=utf8mb4', 'db_user', 'db_password');
$pdo->exec("SET time_zone = '+01:00'");

// mysqli
$mysqli = new mysqli('localhost', 'db_user', 'db_password', 'your_database');
$mysqli->query("SET time_zone = '+01:00'");
```

You can also set PHP's time zone for the whole account with `date.timezone` in **Select PHP Version → Options**. See [Changing PHP versions and settings](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/software/changing-php-versions-and-settings-using-php-selector/).

## In WordPress

WordPress handles this for you. Go to **Settings → General → Timezone** and choose a city, such as **Lagos**. WordPress stores times in UTC and shows them in your time zone.

## In Laravel and other frameworks

Set the time zone in the framework's database settings. In Laravel, add `'timezone' => '+01:00'` to the `mysql` connection in `config/database.php`, and set `APP_TIMEZONE` (or `'timezone'` in `config/app.php`).

## Best practice

Store dates in **UTC** and convert them to the visitor's time zone when you display them. This avoids problems with daylight saving time and visitors in other countries.

## Related articles

- [Changing the time zone in the Linux shell](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/developers/linux/changing-the-time-zone-in-the-linux-shell/)
- [Database limits and versions](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/databases/database-limits-and-versions/)