---
acl_categories:
- '@keyspace'
- '@read'
- '@fast'
arguments:
- display_text: key
  key_spec_index: 0
  name: key
  type: key
arity: 2
categories:
- docs
- develop
- stack
- oss
- rs
- rc
- oss
- kubernetes
- clients
command_flags:
- readonly
- fast
complexity: O(1)
description: Returns the expiration time of a key as a Unix timestamp.
group: generic
hidden: false
key_specs:
- RO: true
  access: true
  begin_search:
    spec:
      index: 1
    type: index
  find_keys:
    spec:
      keystep: 1
      lastkey: 0
      limit: 0
    type: range
linkTitle: EXPIRETIME
railroad_diagram: /images/railroad/expiretime.svg
since: 7.0.0
summary: Returns the expiration time of a key as a Unix timestamp.
syntax_fmt: EXPIRETIME key
title: EXPIRETIME
---
Returns the absolute Unix timestamp (since January 1, 1970) in seconds at which the given key will expire.

See also the [`PEXPIRETIME`]({{< relref "/commands/pexpiretime" >}}) command which returns the same information with milliseconds resolution.

## Examples

{{% redis-cli %}}
SET mykey "Hello"
EXPIREAT mykey 33177117420
EXPIRETIME mykey
{{% /redis-cli %}}

## Redis Software and Redis Cloud compatibility

| Redis<br />Software | Redis<br />Cloud | <span style="min-width: 9em; display: table-cell">Notes</span> |
|:----------------------|:-----------------|:------|
| <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Standard</span><br /><span title="Supported"><nobr>&#x2705; Active-Active</nobr></span> | <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Standard</span><br /><span title="Supported"><nobr>&#x2705; Active-Active</nobr></span> |  |

## Return information

{{< multitabs id="expiretime-return-info" 
    tab1="RESP2" 
    tab2="RESP3" >}}

One of the following:
* [Integer reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#integers): the expiration Unix timestamp in seconds.
* [Integer reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#integers): `-1` if the key exists but has no associated expiration time.
* [Integer reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#integers): `-2` if the key does not exist.

-tab-sep-

One of the following:
* [Integer reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#integers): the expiration Unix timestamp in seconds.
* [Integer reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#integers): `-1` if the key exists but has no associated expiration time.
* [Integer reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#integers): `-2` if the key does not exist.

{{< /multitabs >}}