WTD, MTD, QTD, and YTD Metrics Explained

Introduction

WTD, MTD, QTD, and YTD are time-based performance metrics used to track progress over specific periods: Week-to-Date, Month-to-Date, Quarter-to-Date, and Year-to-Date. They help businesses, analysts, and marketers assess trends, compare performance, and make timely decisions.

What Do These Metrics Mean?

1. WTD – Week-to-Date

Week-to-date (WTD) is a period starting at the beginning of the current calendar week and ending on either the current date or the last business day before the current date.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – WTD would be the period running from October 12th to October 18th, 2025 (Sunday being the first day of the week).

2. MTD – Month-to-Date

Month-to-date (MTD) is a period starting at the beginning of the current calendar month and ending on either the current date or the last business day before the current date.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – MTD would be the period running from October 1st to October 18th, 2025.

3. QTD – Quarter-to-Date

Quarter-to-date (QTD) is a period starting at the beginning of the current quarter and ending at the current date.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – QTD would be the period running from October 1st to October 18th (In this case, MTD value would be the same as QTD value - since Q4 starts in the month of October).

4. YTD – Year-to- Date

Year to Date (YTD) is a period from the beginning of the current calendar or fiscal year up to the current date.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – YTD would be the period running from January 1st to October 18th, 2025.

Previous Period Metrics

Similarly, using the same analogy you can compute the respective previous periods as described below.

1. PWTD – Prior Week-to-Date

Prior Week to Date (PWTD) is the period starting from the beginning of last calendar week and ending at the current day in the last week.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – PWTD would be the period running from October 5th to October 11th, 2025.

Useful: Compute WTD vs. PWTD in Tableau.

2. PMTD – Prior Month-to-Date

Prior Month to Date (PMTD) is the period starting from the beginning of last calendar month and ending at the current day of last month.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – PMTD would be the period running from September 1st to September 18th, 2025.

Useful: Compute MTD vs. PMTD in Tableau.

3. PQTD – Prior Quarter-to-Date

Prior Quarter to Date (PQTD) is the period starting from the beginning of the last calendar quarter and ending at the current day of the last quarter.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – PQTD would be the period running from July 1st to July 18th, 2025.

Useful: Compute QTD vs. PQTD in Tableau.

4. PYTD – Prior Year-to-Date

Prior Year to Date (PYTD) is the period beginning from the first day of the previous calendar year or fiscal year to the date equivalent to the current day from the previous year.

Assuming the reporting date as October 18th, 2025 – PYTD would be the period running from January 1st, 2024, to October 18th, 2024.

Useful: Compute YTD vs. PYTD in Tableau.

Conclusion

Understanding WTD (Week-to-Date), MTD (Month-to-Date), QTD (Quarter-to-Date), and YTD (Year-to-Date) metrics is essential for anyone looking to track performance, spot trends, and make informed decisions across time horizons. These metrics offer a structured lens through which businesses, analysts, and individuals can assess progress, compare results, and adjust strategies in real time.

By choosing the right time frame - whether it's the agility of WTD, the rhythm of MTD, the strategic scope of QTD, or the long-view of YTD - you empower your analysis with context and clarity. Whether you're monitoring sales, web traffic, expenses, or KPIs, these metrics help transform raw data into actionable insight.

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