JavaScript: Get time differences in years between two dates

JavaScript Datetime: Exercise-49 with Solution

Time Diff in Years

Write a JavaScript function to get time differences in years between two dates.

Test Data :
dt1 = new Date("June 13, 2014 08:11:00");
dt2 = new Date("October 19, 2017 11:13:00");
console.log(diff_years(dt1, dt2));
3

Sample Solution:

JavaScript Code:

// Define a function called diff_years that calculates the difference in years between two given dates (dt2 and dt1)
function diff_years(dt2, dt1) 
{
  // Calculate the difference in milliseconds between the two dates
  var diff = (dt2.getTime() - dt1.getTime()) / 1000;
  // Convert the difference from milliseconds to days
  diff /= (60 * 60 * 24);
  // Calculate the approximate number of years by dividing the difference in days by the average number of days in a year (365.25)
  return Math.abs(Math.round(diff / 365.25));
}

// Create two Date objects representing different dates
dt1 = new Date(2014, 10, 2); // November 2, 2014
dt2 = new Date(2014, 10, 11); // November 11, 2014
// Output the difference in years between the two dates
console.log(diff_years(dt1, dt2));

// Create two Date objects representing different dates
dt1 = new Date("June 13, 2014 08:11:00"); // June 13, 2014
dt2 = new Date("October 19, 2017 11:13:00"); // October 19, 2017
// Output the difference in years between the two dates
console.log(diff_years(dt1, dt2));

Output:

0
3

Explanation:

In the exercise above,

• The "diff_years()" function takes two Date objects 'dt2' and 'dt1' as parameters.
• It calculates the difference in milliseconds between the two dates.
• Then, it converts the difference from milliseconds to days.
• Next, it divides the difference in days by the average number of days in a year (365.25) to approximate the number of years.
• Finally, it returns the absolute value of the rounded difference in years.

Flowchart:

Live Demo:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a JavaScript function that calculates the difference in years between two dates by subtracting their full year values.
• Write a JavaScript function that adjusts the year difference based on the month and day of the two dates.
• Write a JavaScript function that returns the absolute difference in years as a number.
• Write a JavaScript function that formats the year difference in a sentence, e.g., "The difference is X years."

Improve this sample solution and post your code through Disqus.

Previous: Write a JavaScript function to get time differences in months between two dates.
Next: Write a JavaScript function to get the week start date.