Oracle MONTHS_BETWEEN function

How to calculate the number of months between two dates in Oracle?

The MONTHS_BETWEEN() function is used to get the number of months between dates (date1, date2). See the following conditions:

• If date1 is later than date2, then the result is positive.
• If date1 is earlier than date2, then the result is negative.
• If date1 and date2 are either the same days of the month or both last days of months, then the result is always an integer.
• Otherwise, Oracle Database calculates the fractional portion of the result based on a 31-day month and considers the difference in time components date1 and date2.

Uses of Oracle MONTHS_BETWEEN() Function:

• Calculating the number of months between two dates: Determine the difference in months between any two given dates.


• Assessing date intervals for financial calculations: Evaluate monthly periods for interest calculations, payment schedules, or financial reporting.


• Determining age or duration of events: Compute the elapsed time between significant dates such as birthdates or contract dates.


• Handling date-based queries and filters: Use in SQL queries to filter or sort records based on the interval between dates.


• Providing precise date differences: Account for the fractional months based on the exact difference in days between the dates.

Syntax:

MONTHS_BETWEEN(date1, date2)     

Parameters:

Applies to:
Oracle 12c, Oracle 11g, Oracle 10g, Oracle 9i

Pictorial Presentation

Example: Oracle MONTHS_BETWEEN () function

The following statement calculates the months between two specified dates:

SQL> SELECT MONTHS_BETWEEN
  2     (TO_DATE('02-02-2015','MM-DD-YYYY'),
  3     TO_DATE('12-01-2014','MM-DD-YYYY') ) "Months"
  4     FROM DUAL;.

Sample Output:

    Months
----------
2.03225806

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