A Unix timestamp (also called epoch time or POSIX time) is the number of seconds since 1 January 1970 00:00:00 UTC. Databases, APIs, log files and programming languages use it to store dates in a compact, time-zone-neutral way, but it is unreadable to people.
This converter turns a timestamp into a readable date in your local time zone, UTC and ISO 8601 format, and also shows how long ago (or how far in the future) it is. It also works in reverse: pick a date and get its timestamp in seconds and milliseconds.
How to use the Unix Timestamp Converter tool
- To decode a timestamp, paste it and click Convert. Seconds and milliseconds are detected automatically.
- To get a timestamp, pick a date and time, tick 'Treat as UTC' if needed, and click Convert.
- Copy the current live timestamp from the top card whenever you need it.
Features
- Automatic seconds/milliseconds detection.
- Local time, UTC, ISO 8601 and relative time output.
- Date-to-epoch conversion in local time or UTC.
- A live current timestamp.
- Works offline once loaded.
Tips for best results
10-digit timestamps are in seconds and 13-digit ones are in milliseconds (JavaScript's Date.now() uses milliseconds). Systems that store timestamps as signed 32-bit integers will overflow on 19 January 2038, the 'Year 2038 problem'. Always store times in UTC and convert to local time only for display.
Compatibility and limits
The Unix Timestamp Converter tool is built for developers, testers, students and anyone who handles data. It runs in every modern browser, needs no installation or extension, and keeps working offline once the page has loaded. Because nothing is sent to a server, it's safe to use with production data, access tokens and internal configuration files.
Privacy: your files never leave your device
The data you enter is processed entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing is sent to a server, which makes the tool safe for API responses, tokens, configuration files and other sensitive developer data.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
The number of seconds that have passed since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970, not counting leap seconds.
How do I know if a timestamp is in seconds or milliseconds?
Current timestamps in seconds have 10 digits, and in milliseconds 13 digits. The tool detects this automatically.
Does a timestamp depend on time zone?
No. A timestamp is the same everywhere. Only its display as a local date changes with time zone.
Can I convert dates before 1970?
Yes. Use a negative timestamp.
Is any data sent to a server?
No. All conversions run in your browser.