Python .localtime()

In Python, the .localtime() method converts a time value, given in seconds since the epoch (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC), into local time. If no value is provided, it returns the current local time instead.

Syntax

time.localtime(seconds)

Parameters:

• seconds (Optional): A number (float or int) representing seconds since the epoch. Defaults to the current time if omitted.

Return value:

Returns a time.struct_time object representing the local time.

Example 1: .localtime() With No Argument

This example demonstrates when running .localtime() without the optional seconds argument:

import time

lt = time.localtime()
print('Current Local Time:', lt)

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The output of the code is:

Current local time: time.struct_time(tm_year=2025, tm_mon=8, tm_mday=31, tm_hour=19, tm_min=53, tm_sec=36, tm_wday=6, tm_yday=243, tm_isdst=0)

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Example 2: .localtime() With a Passed Argument

This example converts 5000 seconds since the epoch into local time:

import time

# Passing the seconds elapsed as an argument to this method
lt = time.localtime(5000)
print('Python Local Time:', lt)

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The output of the code is:

Python local time: time.struct_time(tm_year=1970, tm_mon=1, tm_mday=1, tm_hour=1, tm_min=23, tm_sec=20, tm_wday=3, tm_yday=1, tm_isdst=0)

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Codebyte Example: Using .localtime() to Log a File Download Time

This codebyte example demonstrates how to record the local time when a file download is completed:

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Note: The output of .localtime() may differ depending on the system clock, time zone settings, and daylight saving adjustments.