What Is Ce and Bce in Date

CE stands for “common (or current) era”, while BCE stands for “before the common (or current) era”. These abbreviations have a shorter history than BC and AD, although they still date from at least the early 1700s.

Is it 2020 CE or BCE?

To cater to religious diversity, the abbreviations BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) can be used to replace BC and AD. Of note, AD is written before the year, while BC, BCE, and CE are all written after the year. For example: 2020 CE or AD 2020.

How do you read a CE and BCE date?

1. Dates that occurred before 1 CE are labeled. BCE, or Before the Common Era. BCE dates count backward from 1 CE, so larger BCE dates happened longer ago.
2. Dates that occurred in 1 CE or later are labeled. CE, or Common Era.