Unix Timestamp Converter
Convert epoch time to dates and dates to timestamps, with a live current Unix timestamp.
Convert Unix timestamps and dates
The Unix Timestamp Converter turns epoch timestamps into human-readable dates and converts calendar dates back into Unix timestamps. It also shows the current Unix time, ticking live every second. Everything runs in your browser, giving you instant, accurate conversions for debugging logs, APIs, and databases.
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also called epoch time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970, not counting leap seconds. It is the most common way computers store and exchange time because it is a single number, timezone-independent, and easy to compare and sort. For example, 1700000000 corresponds to mid-November 2023.
Seconds vs milliseconds
There is one frequent gotcha: some systems store epoch time in seconds (10 digits today) and others in milliseconds (13 digits), notably JavaScript's Date.now(). This converter auto-detects which you pasted based on length, so you get the right date either way. When generating timestamps for an API, always check whether it expects seconds or milliseconds.
How to use it
- To convert a timestamp, paste it into Timestamp → Date; the UTC and local date appear.
- To get a timestamp, pick a date and time in Date → Timestamp.
- Copy the live current Unix timestamp with one click whenever you need "now."
Why developers use epoch time
- Logs and events — a compact, sortable time field.
- APIs — JWT
exp/iat, rate-limit windows, and caching headers. - Databases — storing timestamps as integers for fast comparison.
- Scheduling — computing durations and deadlines with simple arithmetic.
Timezones and UTC
A Unix timestamp itself has no timezone — it always represents a moment in UTC. The local date you see depends on your device's timezone. This tool shows both the UTC string and your local time so you can confirm exactly which instant a timestamp refers to, which is essential when debugging issues that span regions.
Private and free
All conversions happen in your browser, with nothing uploaded and no limits. Use it as often as you like, completely free.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
It is the number of seconds since 1 January 1970 UTC, a timezone-independent way computers represent a moment in time.
Is the timestamp in seconds or milliseconds?
Both are common. This tool auto-detects based on length — 10 digits is seconds, 13 digits is milliseconds.
Do timestamps have a timezone?
No. A Unix timestamp is always UTC. The local date shown depends on your device's timezone settings.
Is it free and private?
Yes. All conversions run in your browser with nothing uploaded, and it is completely free.