Unix Timestamp Converter
Our unix timestamp converter makes it simple to translate confusing epoch numbers into readable dates, and back again. This free epoch converter is built for developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs to convert unix time quickly and accurately. Enter a timestamp or a date, and get an instant, accurate result in your local timezone or UTC.
Current Unix timestamp
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Paste a 10-digit (seconds) or 13-digit (milliseconds) timestamp.
Pick any date and time to see its Unix timestamp in seconds.
How to Use the Unix Timestamp Converter
Choose whether you want to convert timestamp to date, or date to timestamp.
Enter your value: either epoch seconds (or milliseconds) or a calendar date and time.
Select your preferred timezone, or leave it set to UTC / GMT.
Click "Convert" to see the result instantly.
Copy the converted value with one click for use in your code or documents.
What Is a Unix Timestamp?
A Unix timestamp, also called epoch time, is a way of tracking time as a single number: the total seconds that have passed since January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC. This starting point is known as the Unix epoch. Because it's just a number rather than a formatted date and time string, it's easy for computers to store, compare, and calculate with, which is why it's used so widely in programming.
Developers rely on timestamps for logging events, scheduling tasks, and storing dates in databases without worrying about timezone formatting issues. You'll often see timestamps represented in seconds, though some systems, including the JavaScript Date object, use milliseconds instead, so it's worth checking which timestamp format your project expects. System administrators also use current epoch time when reading server logs or debugging time-sensitive issues across different machines and timezones.
Who Uses Unix Timestamps?
- Software developers: Storing and comparing dates in applications.
- System administrators: Reading server logs and scheduling cron jobs.
- Data analysts: Working with time-series data from APIs and databases.
- Students: Learning about computer systems and time representation.
Tips for Working with Timestamps
- Always confirm whether your timestamp is in seconds or milliseconds—a common source of errors.
- When scheduling events, store timestamps in UTC to avoid daylight saving time issues.
- Use this converter to double-check conversions before deploying code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current epoch time right now?
The current epoch time is the number of seconds since January 1, 1970 UTC, and it increases every second. Our converter tool displays the live current epoch time automatically, so you don't need to calculate it manually.
Why does Unix time start in 1970?
1970 was chosen somewhat arbitrarily by early Unix developers as a convenient reference point. It predates most computing systems that use it today, giving a clean baseline that all Unix-based and many other systems have adopted as a standard.
What's the difference between seconds and milliseconds timestamps?
A standard Unix timestamp counts seconds since the epoch, while some systems, like JavaScript, use milliseconds for greater precision. If your converted date looks wildly wrong, you're likely using the wrong unit, so try switching between the two formats.
Can I convert a timestamp to a specific timezone?
Yes, our tool lets you select a timezone so the converted date and time conversion reflects your local time rather than UTC / GMT. This is useful for scheduling or comparing events across different regions.
How do I convert a timestamp manually without a tool?
You can divide the epoch seconds by 86,400 to estimate days since 1970, then add that to the epoch date, though this gets complex quickly with timezones and leap years. Using a converter is far faster and more accurate.
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