If in a database (MySQL), I have a datetime column (ex. 1899-12-30 19:00:00), how

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Editorial Team

Asked: May 15, 20262026-05-15T08:24:44+00:00 2026-05-15T08:24:44+00:00

If in a database (MySQL), I have a datetime column (ex. 1899-12-30 19:00:00), how do I sum 1 day to it?

If I want to add 1 day, it actually adds 60*60*24 days (86,400 days)

r=Record.find(:first)
=>Sat, 30 Dec 1899 19:00:00 -0600
r.date + (60*60*24)
=>Fri, 20 Jul 2136 19:00:00 -0600

But if I do this it actually adds 1 day:

t = Time.now
=>Mon Jun 14 10:32:51 -0600 2010
t + (60 * 60 * 24)
=>Tue Jun 15 10:33:21 -0600 2010

I guess it has to do with the format…how do I make this work?

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Editorial Team · Answer 1 · 2026-05-15T08:24:45+00:00

Editorial Team

You’re actually adding 86,400 seconds (60 seconds * 60 minutes * 24 hours).

ActiveSupport has some built in helper methods for dealing with time:

Time.now + 1.day + 15.hours

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