Timestamp Converter
Convert a Unix timestamp to a human date and back. Seconds and milliseconds, local time and UTC, in your browser.
This free online Unix timestamp converter turns a Unix (epoch) timestamp into a human-readable date and converts a date back into a Unix timestamp, right in your browser with no signup. A Unix timestamp, also called epoch time, is a single number counting how much time has passed since January 1, 1970 (UTC), and it shows up everywhere in code, logs, and databases. This epoch time converter supports both seconds and milliseconds, and shows the result as your local time, UTC, and ISO 8601 at the same time so there is no timezone confusion. Everything runs locally, nothing is uploaded to a server.
How to use this tool
- 01Choose a directionThe "Timestamp to date" tab converts a Unix number into a date. The "Date to timestamp" tab does the reverse.
- 02Enter a valuePaste a timestamp and pick seconds or milliseconds, or choose a date and time in your local clock.
- 03Read the resultThe result updates instantly. Copy the timestamp or the format you need with one click.
When is this useful?
- Reading a system logYou get a log line with a Unix timestamp and want to know exactly when the event happened in your local time.
- Working with an APIMany APIs return time as a timestamp. Converting it helps you check and debug responses during development.
- Converting epoch in database rowsNeed to read or write a time value in a database row or in code? Pick a date and get the timestamp in seconds or milliseconds, or paste a stored epoch to see the date.
- SchedulingWhen scheduling jobs or events that store time as epoch, convert your intended date into the exact timestamp the system expects.
Examples
- The epoch zero pointThe timestamp 0 in seconds represents 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC, the moment Unix time begins. The tool shows the full date in both local time and UTC.
- Timestamp in secondsThe timestamp 1700000000 in seconds represents November 14, 2023. The tool shows the full date, local and UTC.
- Timestamp in millisecondsMany systems (including JavaScript) work in milliseconds. Pick "Milliseconds" to read a value like 1700000000000 correctly.
- The current timeClick "Now" to fill in the current timestamp in milliseconds and immediately see the date.
Tips for a better result
- Seconds vs millisecondsA common factor-of-1000 mistake. If the resulting date is way too far away or too close, you probably mixed up seconds and milliseconds.
- Local vs UTCThe same timestamp shows a different time in your local clock and in UTC. Check which timezone your system is running in.
- ISO for sharingThe ISO 8601 format (like 2023-11-14T22:13:20Z) is convenient for passing between systems because it is unambiguous and in UTC.
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is an integer that counts the time elapsed since a fixed reference point, midnight on January 1, 1970, in UTC. The count is in seconds, and sometimes in milliseconds. Because it is a single number with no timezone attached, a timestamp is a convenient and unambiguous way to store and compare times in code and databases, and only when showing it to a user do you convert it to the relevant timezone.
Seconds vs milliseconds
Unix time is most often counted in seconds, but many platforms (JavaScript among them) count in milliseconds, which is exactly 1000 times larger. A 10-digit number is usually seconds; a 13-digit number is usually milliseconds. If the date the tool returns looks wrong, switch units and try again.
Why show both local and UTC?
The same timestamp represents one single moment in time, but it appears as a different clock time in every timezone. This timestamp to date converter shows the time in your device local clock, in UTC, and as an ISO 8601 string at once, so you can confirm exactly which moment is meant and avoid common timezone mistakes.
Converting a date to a Unix timestamp
To go from a date to a Unix timestamp, switch to the "Date to timestamp" tab, pick a date and time in your local clock, and read the epoch value in seconds or milliseconds. This is handy when a system, API, or database expects time stored as epoch and you only know the calendar date you want.
ISO 8601 and epoch time
ISO 8601 (for example 2023-11-14T22:13:20Z) is a standard text format for dates and times, while a Unix timestamp is a raw number. Both describe the same moment. This epoch time converter shows the ISO 8601 string next to the local and UTC dates, so you can copy whichever representation a given system needs.
Privacy
The conversion runs in your browser only. No value is uploaded to a server and nothing is stored on our side.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a Unix timestamp to a date?
Open the "Timestamp to date" tab, paste your Unix timestamp, and choose seconds or milliseconds. The converter instantly shows the matching date in your local time, in UTC, and as an ISO 8601 string.
How do I convert a date to a Unix timestamp?
Switch to the "Date to timestamp" tab and pick the date and time you want. The tool reads it in your local clock and gives you the Unix timestamp in seconds or milliseconds, ready to store in code or a database.
What is epoch time?
Epoch time, also called Unix time, is a single number counting the seconds since midnight on January 1, 1970, in UTC. It is a timezone-free way to represent a moment in time, widely used in software.
Does the converter show UTC or local time?
Both. For every timestamp the tool displays the date in your local device time and in UTC side by side, and it also gives the ISO 8601 string. That way you can pick the representation each system expects.
What is the difference between seconds and milliseconds?
A timestamp in seconds counts seconds since 1970, while milliseconds is 1000 times larger. Picking the wrong unit gives a date that is far too distant or far too close to what you expect.
How do I know whether a number is in seconds or milliseconds?
As a rule of thumb, current timestamps in seconds are 10 digits and in milliseconds are 13 digits. If the converted date looks wrong, switch the unit and check again.
Why is the date different between local and UTC?
The same timestamp represents one moment, but it is shown as a different clock time in each timezone. The gap between local and UTC is your own timezone offset.
Which timezone does "Date to timestamp" use?
The date you pick is interpreted in your local device clock, and the timestamp is computed from it. The timestamp itself is independent of any timezone.
Is anything uploaded to a server?
No. All conversion happens in your browser, with nothing sent anywhere.
What does the "Now" button do?
It fills in the current timestamp in milliseconds, so you immediately see the date and time of this exact moment.
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