---
name: "rdate"
section: "8"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["linux", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/rdate"
---

# rdate(8)

set the system's date from a remote host

## NAME

**rdate** – set the system's date from a remote host

## SYNOPSIS

**rdate** \[**-46anpsv**\] *host*

## DESCRIPTION

**rdate** displays and sets the local date and time from the host name or address given as the argument. The time source is an RFC 5905 protocol SNTP/NTP server.

The options are as follows:

- **-4**

  Forces **rdate** to use IPv4 addresses only.

- **-6**

  Forces **rdate** to use IPv6 addresses only.

- **-a**

  Use the [adjtime(2)](/adjtime/2.md) call to gradually skew the local time to the remote time rather than just hopping.

- **-n**

  Use SNTP (RFC 5905). This is the default. This protocol counts 32 bits of seconds from January 1, 1900 and will handle rollover to a new NTP era in February 2036.

- **-p**

  Do not set, just print the remote time.

- **-s**

  Do not print the time.

- **-v**

  Verbose output. Always show the adjustment.

## FILES

- */var/log/wtmp*

  record of date resets and time changes

## SEE ALSO

[date(1)](/date/1.md), [adjtime(2)](/adjtime/2.md), [inetd(8)](/inetd/8.md), [ntpd(8)](/ntpd/8.md)