Unix Timestamp Converter — Epoch to Date
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds (or milliseconds) since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970 — the Unix epoch. It's how most computer systems store a moment in time internally, independent of timezone or calendar format. This free converter runs a live epoch clock, turns a timestamp into a readable local/UTC/ISO date, and turns a date back into a timestamp — automatically detecting whether a pasted number is in seconds or milliseconds. Nothing is sent to a server; the conversion runs entirely in your browser.
About the Unix timestamp converter
A Unix timestamp counts seconds (or milliseconds) since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970. This converter shows a live epoch clock, converts any timestamp into a local/UTC/ISO date, and converts a date back into a timestamp — automatically detecting seconds versus milliseconds.
Unix time stores a moment as the seconds since midnight UTC on 1 January 1970 (the Unix epoch), independent of timezone or calendar. Nearly every language and database supports it, so it shows up constantly in logs and APIs. Paste a timestamp to see it in local time, UTC and ISO 8601, or enter a date to get its timestamp in seconds and milliseconds.
Recognizing timestamp formats
| Digits | Unit | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10 digits | Seconds | 1735689600 |
| 13 digits | Milliseconds | 1735689600000 |
| 16 digits | Microseconds (rare) | 1735689600000000 |
When to use a Unix timestamp converter
- Debugging an API response or log file that shows a raw timestamp instead of a readable date.
- Converting a database `created_at` or `updated_at` field to check when a record was actually made.
- Setting up a scheduled task or cron-adjacent system that expects a Unix timestamp as input.
- Checking whether a JWT or session token's expiry timestamp has already passed.
- Quickly getting "right now" as a timestamp to paste into code or a test payload.
How to use the converter
- To convert a timestamp, paste it into the "Unix timestamp → date" field. Seconds vs milliseconds is detected automatically.
- Read the result in your local time, UTC, ISO 8601 format, or as a relative time ("3 days ago").
- To convert a date to a timestamp: pick a date and time in the "Date → Unix timestamp" field, or click "Use current time".
- Copy any result with one click. Everything runs in your browser.
Tips
- A result far in the future or in 1970 usually means the seconds/milliseconds unit is backwards.
- ISO 8601 (e.g. 2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z) is the most portable format to paste into most programming languages and APIs.
- The "current time" values update every second, so copy again if you need a fresh one.
Unix timestamp FAQ
What is a Unix timestamp?
The number of seconds (or milliseconds) since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970 — the "Unix epoch." It is a compact, timezone-independent way computers represent a moment in time.
How do I know if a number is in seconds or milliseconds?
A 10-digit number (like 1735689600) is typically seconds; a 13-digit number (like 1735689600000) is typically milliseconds. This tool detects that automatically based on magnitude.
What is the year 2038 problem?
Some older systems store Unix time as a 32-bit signed integer, which overflows on 19 January 2038. Modern systems using 64-bit integers are unaffected.
Does this tool work offline?
Yes — the conversion is pure JavaScript math running in your browser; no data is sent anywhere.
Is this an epoch converter?
Yes. Unix time is also called epoch time, so this works as an epoch converter in both directions: paste a timestamp to date, or pick a date to get its Unix timestamp in seconds or milliseconds.