# DATE\_SUB

The `DATE_SUB()` function subtracts the given interval of time to a date or datetime object.

## Syntax

```
DATE_SUB (dateobj, INTERVAL expr unit)
SUBDATE (dateobj, INTERVAL expr unit)
SUBDATE (dateobj, days)

```

## Arguments

* dateobj: a valid date, datetime, or parsable date string
* expr: the number of units to add if unit is a simple type, or a string representation of the units to add if unit is a complex type. Can be negative.
* days: number of days to subtract. Can be negative.

See [DATE\_ADD](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/date-and-time-functions/date-add.md) for a description of unit.

## Return Type

Date or datetime object. If dateobj is not a valid date, returns NULL.

## Remarks

* In `DATE_SUB()` and `SUBDATE()` functions, `MOD(...)` and `a MOD b` expressions in `INTERVAL` `expr unit` syntax are not supported without parentheses due to parser limitations. Use the modulo operator (`%`), or wrap the `MOD` expression in parentheses.
  ```sql
  -- Supported
  SELECT DATE_SUB('2020-01-01', INTERVAL 100 % 3 DAY);
  SELECT DATE_SUB('2020-01-01', INTERVAL (MOD(100, 3)) DAY);
  SELECT DATE_SUB('2020-01-01', INTERVAL (100 MOD 3) DAY);

  -- Not supported 
  SELECT DATE_SUB('2020-01-01', INTERVAL MOD(100, 3) DAY); 
  SELECT DATE_SUB('2020-01-01', INTERVAL 100 MOD 3 DAY); 

  ```

## Examples

```sql
SELECT DATE_SUB('2010-04-02', INTERVAL 1 WEEK);

```

```output

+-----------------------------------------+
| DATE_SUB("2010-04-02", INTERVAL 1 WEEK) |
+-----------------------------------------+
| 2010-03-26                              |
+-----------------------------------------+

```

***

Modified at: July 7, 2026

Source: [/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/date-and-time-functions/date-sub/](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/date-and-time-functions/date-sub/)

(An index of the documentation is available at /llms.txt)