Template:Clarify timeframe

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This template should be used when there is uncertainty about the timeframe of an article’s assertion. Typically, this applies to statements that do not specify a clear timeframe or are presented relative to the date the assertion was added (which may be unclear to future readers). It is generally unnecessary to use this template on frequently updated articles, such as those covering current events, as they are regularly revised.

Usage

Please read WP:MOS/Dates and numbers § Precise language, WP:MOS/Words to watch § Relative time references, WP:MOS/Dates and numbers § Chronological items, and WP:Avoid statements that will date quickly.

This template should be used when there is uncertainty about the timeframe over which an article assertion is valid (lack of precise language). Typically, these might be assertions which do not make that timeframe clear or which characterize it in relation to the timeframe of the addition of the assertion to an article (the relative timeframe not being clear to a reader in the future).

It is probably not necessary to use this template on frequently edited articles such as for current events, as they will be being updated on a regular basis. Do not use this template within section heading markup (i.e., between the opening and closing == or == of a section heading), as it will break the heading.

{{Clarify timeframe|date=April 2026}}

{{Clarify timeframe|reason=Your reason here.}}

Parameters

There are two optional named parameters:

• |reason= – provide your own pop-up text (default: Clarify the applicable timeframe so that it is unambiguous when read at a later date.)
• |date= – month and year the template was added (default: none, but a bot will add it later if omitted)

Note: Substitution of this template will automatically fill the date parameter.

Effects

When the template is placed in an article, the phrase appears in the text of the article at the indicated spot. The page will also appear in Category:Wikipedia articles in need of updating.

See Category:Wikipedia articles in need of updating for a list of pages currently needing updates

Tracking categories

• Category:All articles with vague or ambiguous time (27,626)

Aliases

• {{Reltime}}
• {{Timeframe}}
• {{Timeframe?}}

TemplateData

This is the TemplateData for this template used by TemplateWizard, VisualEditor and other tools. See a monthly parameter usage report for Template:Clarify timeframe in articles based on its TemplateData.

TemplateData for Clarify timeframe

No description.

Template parameters[Edit template data]

Parameter		Description	Type	Status
Month and year	date	Month and year tag added Suggested values {{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{subst:CURRENTYEAR}} Example Bot adds it later if you forget Auto value {{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}	String	suggested
reason	reason	Reason Default Clarify the applicable timeframe so that it is unambiguous when read at a later date. Example Reason for tagging, will display as tooltip if hovered over by reader’s mouse cursor.	Unknown	optional

See also

• {{Update}} can be used to mark an entire article or section needing to be updated. Like {{Update after}}, this template adds the article to Category:Wikipedia articles in need of updating.
• {{Update|inaccurate=y}} is used to mark an article whose factual accuracy may be compromised (although this may be disputed) due to out of date information. This template adds the article to Category:Articles with obsolete information.
• {{As of}}
• {{Show by date}}/{{subst:Show by}}
• {{When}}
• {{Time-context}} is the larger, article message version of this template.

The above documentation is transcluded from Template:Clarify timeframe/doc. (edit | history)
Editors can experiment in this template's sandbox (edit | diff) and testcases (create) pages.
Add categories to the /doc subpage. Subpages of this template.