Unix Timestamp Converter – Epoch Time Converter & Calculator
Free Unix Timestamp (Epoch) Converter Tool
Current Unix Timestamp
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Unix Timestamp to Date
UTC Time
Local Time
Selected Timezone
ISO 8601 Format
Date to Unix Timestamp
Format: YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss
Unix Timestamp (Unix Timestamp)
Include milliseconds
What is Unix Timestamp (Epoch Time)?
A Unix timestamp (also known as epoch time, POSIX time, or Unix time) is a system for tracking time that counts the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC (the Unix epoch). This moment in time is known as "the epoch" and serves as the reference point for Unix time.
Unix timestamps are widely used in computing systems, databases, programming languages, and APIs because they provide a simple, unambiguous way to represent a specific point in time. Instead of dealing with time zones, daylight saving time, or different calendar systems, a Unix timestamp is just a single number.
For example, the timestamp 1737546000 represents January 22, 2025, 09:00:00 UTC. This same number means the same point in time regardless of where you are in the world.
Our free Unix Timestamp Converter makes it easy to convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates in both directions. Whether you're debugging code, analyzing logs, working with APIs, or just curious about what a timestamp means, this tool provides instant, accurate conversions.
How to Use the Unix Timestamp Converter
Converting Unix Timestamp to Date:
- Enter or paste your Unix timestamp in the "Unix Timestamp" field
- Check "Include milliseconds" if your timestamp is in milliseconds (13 digits instead of 10)
- Click "Convert to Date" to see the human-readable date and time
- View the result in multiple formats: local time, UTC, and ISO 8601
Converting Date to Unix Timestamp:
- Select or enter a date and time in the "Date and Time" field
- The tool automatically interprets the date in your local timezone
- Click "Convert to Timestamp" to get the Unix timestamp
- The result shows both the standard timestamp (seconds) and milliseconds version
Using Current Timestamp:
At the top of the page, you'll see the current Unix timestamp updating in real-time. Click "Copy" to quickly copy it to your clipboard.
Key Terms & Concepts
Unix Epoch
The Unix epoch is the starting point for Unix time: January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. This date was chosen when the Unix operating system was being developed. All Unix timestamps count seconds (or milliseconds) from this moment.
Seconds vs. Milliseconds
Standard Unix timestamps count seconds since the epoch and are typically 10 digits long (e.g., 1737546000). Many programming languages and systems also use milliseconds, which are 13 digits long (e.g., 1737546000000). Our converter supports both formats.
UTC vs. Local Time
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks. Unix timestamps always represent a specific moment in UTC. When converting to human-readable format, the same timestamp will show different local times depending on your timezone (e.g., UTC+8 for Singapore).
ISO 8601 Format
ISO 8601 is an international standard for representing dates and times (e.g., 2025-01-22T09:00:00.000Z). The "Z" at the end indicates UTC time. This format is commonly used in APIs and data exchange.
Timezone Conversion
While Unix timestamps are always in UTC, our converter displays results in both UTC and your local timezone. This helps you understand what time an event occurred in your region.
Common Use Cases for Unix Timestamp Converter
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Software Development: Debug timestamp-related issues in your code, test date/time functionality, or convert timestamps from API responses into readable dates.
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Database Analysis: Many databases store dates as Unix timestamps. Convert them to understand when records were created or modified.
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Log File Analysis: Server logs, application logs, and system logs often use Unix timestamps. Convert them to correlate events across different systems.
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API Integration: Many web APIs return timestamps in Unix format. Use this tool to understand the actual dates and times being communicated.
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Scheduling & Planning: Convert future dates to timestamps for setting up scheduled tasks, cron jobs, or automated processes.
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Security & Authentication: Analyze JWT tokens, session expiration times, or certificate validity periods that use Unix timestamps.
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Mobile App Development: iOS and Android systems use Unix timestamps extensively. Convert them during development and testing.
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Data Migration: When moving data between systems, you may need to convert timestamps to ensure consistency across platforms.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Recent Timestamp
Timestamp: 1737546000
Result: January 22, 2025, 09:00:00 UTC
This represents a specific moment in January 2025. In Singapore (UTC+8), this would be 5:00 PM on the same day.
Example 2: The Unix Epoch
Timestamp: 0
Result: January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC
The beginning of Unix time. This is the reference point from which all Unix timestamps are counted.
Example 3: Millisecond Timestamp
Timestamp: 1737546000000
Result: January 22, 2025, 09:00:00.000 UTC
JavaScript's Date.now() and many APIs return timestamps in milliseconds (13 digits). Notice the three extra zeros.
Example 4: Converting a Date
Date: December 31, 1999, 23:59:59 UTC
Timestamp: 946684799
Just one second before the Y2K milestone. This timestamp was used extensively during Y2K testing.
Important Notes & Limitations
On 32-bit systems, Unix timestamps are limited to dates until January 19, 2038, 03:14:07 UTC (timestamp 2147483647). After this, the timestamp will overflow. Most modern 64-bit systems don't have this limitation.
When converting a date to a timestamp, the tool uses your browser's local timezone. Make sure you understand whether your input date is in local time or UTC to get accurate results.
Timestamps can be negative, representing dates before January 1, 1970. For example, -86400 represents December 31, 1969, 00:00:00 UTC.
Standard Unix timestamps (seconds) are precise to the nearest second. Millisecond timestamps add three decimal places of precision. For even higher precision, some systems use microseconds or nanoseconds.
Unix timestamps don't account for leap seconds (extra seconds occasionally added to UTC). For most applications, this difference is negligible, but it's important for high-precision timekeeping.
All conversions happen entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, ensuring your timestamps and dates remain private.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC (the Unix epoch). It's a simple way to represent a specific point in time as a single number.
How do I convert a Unix timestamp to a readable date?
Enter the timestamp in the "Unix Timestamp to Date" section, check whether it's in seconds or milliseconds, and click "Convert to Date". The tool will show you the date in multiple formats including your local timezone.
What's the difference between a 10-digit and 13-digit timestamp?
A 10-digit timestamp represents seconds since the epoch, while a 13-digit timestamp represents milliseconds. Check "Include milliseconds" for 13-digit timestamps.
Can I convert dates before 1970?
Yes! Dates before January 1, 1970 have negative Unix timestamps. Our converter handles both positive and negative timestamps.
What is the Year 2038 problem?
On 32-bit systems, timestamps overflow after January 19, 2038, 03:14:07 UTC. Most modern 64-bit systems don't have this limitation and can handle dates far into the future.
Is my timezone automatically detected?
Yes, your browser's timezone is automatically used for displaying local times and when converting dates to timestamps.
How accurate are the conversions?
Conversions are mathematically precise. Standard timestamps are accurate to the second, and millisecond timestamps are accurate to 1/1000th of a second.
Can I use this tool for programming?
Absolutely! This tool is perfect for developers working with timestamps in JavaScript, Python, PHP, Java, Go, and any other programming language that uses Unix time.
What is ISO 8601 format?
ISO 8601 is an international standard for date/time representation (e.g., 2025-01-22T09:00:00.000Z). The "Z" indicates UTC time. It's widely used in APIs and data exchange.
Does this tool work offline?
After the page loads, all conversions happen in your browser using JavaScript. However, you need an internet connection to initially access the page.
Why are there different times for UTC and local time?
Unix timestamps always represent a single moment in time (UTC). The local time display shows how that moment appears in your timezone, accounting for your UTC offset and daylight saving time.
How do I get the current Unix timestamp?
The current timestamp is displayed at the top of the page and updates in real-time. Click "Copy" to copy it to your clipboard.