Unix Timestamp Converter
Unix timestamps are the universal language of time in computing — a single integer representing an exact moment, free from timezone ambiguity and formatting differences. But reading a raw number like 1700000000 and knowing it means November 14, 2023 is not something most people can do in their head. This free online tool bridges that gap. For age-related date calculations, check out the Age Calculator. It shows the current Unix timestamp updating in real time, lets you convert any timestamp into multiple human-readable formats including ISO 8601, UTC, local time, and a relative description like "3 days ago," and also lets you pick a date and time to get the corresponding Unix timestamp in both seconds and milliseconds. Working with JSON API responses that contain timestamps? Format them with the JSON Formatter. It automatically detects whether your input is in seconds or milliseconds. All processing happens locally in your browser with nothing sent to a server.
Current Unix Timestamp
1784327592
Timestamp to Human Date
Date to Unix Timestamp
How to Use This Tool
- The current Unix timestamp is displayed at the top and updates every second. Click the copy button to grab it instantly.
- To convert a timestamp to a date, enter the numeric timestamp in the first section. The tool automatically detects whether it is in seconds or milliseconds and shows the date in four formats.
- To convert a date to a timestamp, use the date and time picker in the second section. Click Convert to see the Unix timestamp in both seconds and milliseconds.
- Use the individual copy buttons next to each output value to place any result on your clipboard.
Examples
Converting a Seconds Timestamp to a Date
Input (Unix timestamp)
1700000000
Output
ISO 8601: 2023-11-14T22:13:20.000Z UTC: Tue, 14 Nov 2023 22:13:20 GMT Relative: about 1 year ago
Converting a Milliseconds Timestamp
Input (milliseconds)
1700000000000
Output
ISO 8601: 2023-11-14T22:13:20.000Z UTC: Tue, 14 Nov 2023 22:13:20 GMT
Converting a Date to a Timestamp
Input (date)
2025-01-01T00:00
Output
Seconds: 1735689600 Milliseconds: 1735689600000
What This Tool Is Useful For
- Debugging log entries: Server logs and monitoring tools often record events as Unix timestamps. Convert them to readable dates to understand when events occurred.
- Working with APIs: Many REST APIs accept or return dates as Unix timestamps. Use this tool to verify the date a timestamp represents before sending a request or to interpret a response.
- Database queries: When filtering records by date in databases that store timestamps as integers, convert your target date to a Unix timestamp for the WHERE clause.
- JWT token inspection: JSON Web Tokens include
iat(issued at) andexp(expiration) fields as Unix timestamps. Convert them to see when the token was created and when it expires. - Scheduling and cron jobs: Calculate the exact timestamp for a future date to set timeouts, schedule tasks, or configure expiration times in your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Unix timestamp?
- A Unix timestamp (also called Epoch time or POSIX time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00 UTC, not counting leap seconds. It is a widely used standard for representing points in time as a single integer, making it easy to store, compare, and transmit dates across systems and programming languages.
- What is the difference between seconds and milliseconds timestamps?
- A Unix timestamp in seconds is a 10-digit number (for dates between 2001 and 2286), while a milliseconds timestamp is a 13-digit number. JavaScript's Date.now() returns milliseconds, while many server-side languages and databases use seconds. This tool automatically detects which format you entered based on the number of digits.
- What is the Year 2038 problem?
- The Year 2038 problem occurs because many older systems store Unix timestamps as a signed 32-bit integer, which can hold a maximum value of 2,147,483,647 — corresponding to January 19, 2038 at 03:14:07 UTC. After that moment, the value overflows and wraps to a negative number. Modern systems use 64-bit integers, which extend the range far beyond any practical concern.
- Does this tool account for time zones?
- Yes. The tool shows the converted date in three formats: ISO 8601 (which includes timezone offset), UTC (always in Coordinated Universal Time), and your local time (based on your browser's timezone setting). The relative time display (e.g. '3 days ago') is also calculated from your current time.
- Can I convert negative timestamps?
- Yes. Negative Unix timestamps represent dates before January 1, 1970. For example, -86400 represents December 31, 1969. This tool handles negative values correctly and will display the corresponding date in all output formats.
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