Timestamp Converter
Convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates instantly
Quick Examples
What is a Unix Timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also known as Epoch time or POSIX time) is a way of tracking time as a running total of seconds. It counts the number of seconds that have elapsed since the Unix epoch: January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC.
Unix timestamps are widely used in programming and databases because they provide a simple, standardized way to store and compare dates and times across different systems and time zones. They're always in UTC, making them timezone-independent.
When Should You Use Timestamps?
Database Storage
Storing dates as integers is more efficient and makes date comparisons and sorting faster
API Responses
APIs often use timestamps for consistency across different time zones and locales
Event Logging
Recording when events occur with precise, sortable timestamps
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Timestamps work consistently across different programming languages and systems
Timestamp Formats Explained
Seconds (10 digits)
The standard Unix timestamp format counting seconds since the epoch.
Example: 1609459200 represents January 1, 2021 at midnight UTC.
Milliseconds (13 digits)
Used in JavaScript and other systems that need millisecond precision.
Example: 1609459200000 is the same time with millisecond precision.
ISO 8601
An international standard for date and time representation.
Example: 2021-01-01T00:00:00.000Z is human-readable and includes timezone information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Unix epoch?
The Unix epoch is the starting point for Unix time: January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC. All Unix timestamps count the seconds (or milliseconds) since this moment.
How do I know if a timestamp is in seconds or milliseconds?
Generally, if the timestamp has 10 digits, it's in seconds. If it has 13 digits, it's in milliseconds. Our tool auto-detects this and converts accordingly.
What happens in the year 2038?
The Year 2038 problem affects 32-bit systems which can't store timestamps beyond January 19, 2038. Modern 64-bit systems don't have this limitation and can handle dates far into the future.
Is this tool safe to use?
Absolutely! All conversions happen in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server, ensuring your complete privacy and security.