Timestamp Converter
Convert Unix timestamps to human-readable dates and vice versa.
Timestamp → Date
Result
Enter a timestamp above
Date → Timestamp
Result
Enter a date above
About Timestamp Converter
What is a Unix Timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also known as Epoch time or POSIX time) is a system for describing a point in time. It is defined as the number of seconds that have elapsed since midnight on Thursday, 1 January 1970, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), minus leap seconds. This single integer provides a universal, timezone-agnostic way to track time across distributed computer systems worldwide.
Seconds vs. Milliseconds
Different programming languages and database systems handle epoch time differently. Standard Unix/Linux systems, PHP, and Python typically represent time in seconds (a 10-digit number like 1700000000). On the other hand, JavaScript (using Date.now()) and Java represent time in milliseconds (a 13-digit number like 1700000000000). Our tool supports both; simply toggle the selector at the top.
How to use this tool:
- Timestamp to Date: Paste your integer timestamp into the left box. The tool will instantly calculate the corresponding UTC date and your local time zone date.
- Date to Timestamp: Type or paste a human-readable date string (e.g., 2024-01-15 12:30:00) into the right box. The tool will instantly parse it into its underlying Unix epoch integer.
- You can also click the "Use Current Timestamp/Date" buttons to grab the exact current time for testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Year 2038 Problem (Y2K38)?
The Year 2038 problem is a computing issue that will occur on January 19, 2038. On this date, the Unix timestamp will exceed the maximum value of a signed 32-bit integer (2,147,483,647 seconds). Systems that store timestamps as 32-bit integers will overflow and misinterpret the time as December 1901. Modern systems prevent this by using 64-bit integers.
Are leap seconds included in Unix timestamps?
No. The Unix time standard explicitly ignores leap seconds. Every day is treated as containing exactly 86,400 seconds. When a leap second occurs, the Unix time does not increment, which can sometimes cause minor synchronization anomalies in highly precise astronomical or financial systems.
How do I get the current timestamp in JavaScript?
In JavaScript, you can get the current millisecond timestamp using 'Date.now()'. If you need the standard Unix 10-digit seconds timestamp, you must divide by 1000 and round down: 'Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000)'.
Does this tool send my dates to a server?
No. All date parsing and formatting operations are executed directly within your web browser using JavaScript's native Date object. No data is transmitted to or stored on our servers.