Unix Timestamp Converter
Convert Unix timestamps (seconds or milliseconds since January 1, 1970) to readable dates and times, or convert dates to Unix timestamps. All conversions show both UTC and local time. Processing runs locally in your browser.
How it works
What is a Unix Timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds (or milliseconds) that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC (the Unix epoch). It's a standard way to represent dates and times in computer systems, making it easy to perform date calculations and comparisons.
How to Use the Unix Timestamp Converter
Convert Date to Timestamp: Enter a date and time, select whether you want seconds or milliseconds, and click convert. The Unix timestamp will be displayed.
Convert Timestamp to Date: Enter a Unix timestamp, select whether it's in seconds or milliseconds, and click convert. The date and time will be shown in both UTC and your local timezone.
Example 1: Date to Timestamp
Date: January 1, 2021, 00:00:00 UTC
Unix timestamp (seconds): 1609459200
Unix timestamp (milliseconds): 1609459200000
Example 2: Timestamp to Date
Unix timestamp: 1609459200 (seconds)
UTC: January 1, 2021, 00:00:00 UTC
Local time: December 31, 2020, 19:00:00 EST (example, depends on your timezone)
Example 3: Current Time
To get the current Unix timestamp, you can use the current date/time. The timestamp represents the exact moment in time, independent of timezone.
Seconds vs Milliseconds
Unix timestamps can be represented in two formats:
- Seconds: Standard Unix timestamp (e.g., 1609459200)
- Milliseconds: Timestamp multiplied by 1000 (e.g., 1609459200000)
JavaScript uses milliseconds, while many Unix systems use seconds. Our converter supports both formats.
UTC vs Local Time
All Unix timestamps are based on UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). When converting a timestamp to a date, you'll see:
- UTC: The exact time in UTC
- Local Time: The same moment converted to your browser's timezone
Common Use Cases
Unix timestamps are used in many scenarios:
- API Responses: Timestamps in JSON APIs
- Database Storage: Storing dates as integers
- Log Files: Timestamping log entries
- Cache Expiration: Setting cache expiration times
- Date Calculations: Comparing dates and calculating differences
Privacy & Security
All timestamp conversions happen locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server, ensuring your privacy and security.