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Free Epoch Converter - Unix Timestamp to Date & Time

Convert Unix timestamps to human-readable dates and vice versa. Support for seconds, milliseconds, all timezones, and multiple date formats. Perfect for developers, system administrators, and data analysts.

Current Unix Timestamp

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💡 Tips:

  • Unix timestamps are seconds since January 1, 1970 (Unix Epoch)
  • Supports both seconds (10 digits) and milliseconds (13 digits)
  • Use for API timestamps, database records, and log files

What is Unix Timestamp (Epoch Time)?

Unix timestamp (also known as Epoch time, POSIX time, or Unix time) is a system for tracking time as a running total of seconds. It represents the number of seconds that have elapsed since the Unix Epoch – January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC – not counting leap seconds.

This standardized timekeeping method is used across virtually all computing systems, programming languages, databases, and operating systems. It provides a universal, timezone-independent way to represent dates and times, making it essential for developers, system administrators, data analysts, and anyone working with timestamped data.

Our Free Epoch Converter makes it easy to convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates. Whether you're debugging server logs, analyzing database records, working with APIs, or scheduling automated tasks, this tool provides instant, accurate conversions in multiple formats.

Why Use Our Epoch Converter?

  • ✓Instant Conversion: Convert timestamps in milliseconds with real-time updates
  • ✓Multiple Formats: Get ISO 8601, UTC, local time, and separate date/time outputs
  • ✓Bidirectional: Convert timestamp to date AND date to timestamp
  • ✓Smart Detection: Automatically handles seconds (10 digits) and milliseconds (13 digits)
  • ✓Live Timestamp: See the current Unix timestamp updating in real-time
  • ✓Developer-Friendly: Copy any format to clipboard with one click

How to Use the Epoch Converter

🔄 Convert Timestamp to Date

  1. Enter your Unix timestamp in the first input field
  2. Can be seconds (10 digits) or milliseconds (13 digits)
  3. View instant conversion in multiple date formats
  4. Click copy button to copy any format to clipboard

📅 Convert Date to Timestamp

  1. Click the date/time picker in the second field
  2. Select your desired date and time
  3. Get the Unix timestamp instantly in seconds
  4. Use the timestamp in your application or database

Key Features

  • Real-Time Current Timestamp: Live display of current Unix time, updated every second
  • Bidirectional Conversion: Convert both timestamp → date and date → timestamp
  • Multiple Date Formats: ISO 8601, UTC, local time, date only, and time only
  • Automatic Format Detection: Handles both seconds (10 digits) and milliseconds (13 digits)
  • Timezone Support: Displays in UTC, local timezone, and ISO format with timezone info
  • One-Click Copy: Copy any format to clipboard instantly
  • Developer-Friendly: Perfect for debugging, testing, and development
  • No Installation Required: Works instantly in your browser
  • 100% Free: All features available at no cost
  • Privacy-Focused: All conversions happen in your browser

Common Use Cases

👨‍💻 Software Development

Convert timestamps in API responses, debug date-related bugs, test date handling logic, and validate timestamp calculations in your code.

🗄️ Database Management

Query records by timestamp ranges, understand stored timestamp values, migrate date formats, and troubleshoot database time-related issues.

📊 Data Analysis

Convert timestamps in log files, analyze time-series data, process CSV files with Unix timestamps, and understand event timelines.

🔧 System Administration

Read system logs, troubleshoot scheduled tasks, analyze server timestamps, and investigate system events by time.

🌐 API Integration

Parse API timestamp responses, format timestamps for API requests, validate webhook timestamps, and synchronize data across systems.

⏰ Task Scheduling

Set cron job times, schedule automated tasks, plan event triggers, and manage time-based automation.

Understanding Unix Timestamp Formats

Seconds vs Milliseconds

Unix timestamps come in two primary formats:

  • Seconds (10 digits): Standard Unix timestamp, e.g., 1761674309 – Used in Unix/Linux systems, PHP, Python (time module), databases like PostgreSQL
  • Milliseconds (13 digits): Timestamp with millisecond precision, e.g., 1761674309000 – Used in JavaScript, Java, MongoDB, Elasticsearch

Our converter automatically detects which format you're using based on the number of digits and converts accordingly.

Date Format Outputs

When you convert a timestamp, you get multiple format options:

  • ISO 8601: International standard format (e.g., 2025-10-29T12:30:45.000Z)
  • UTC: Coordinated Universal Time (e.g., Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:30:45 GMT)
  • Local: Your browser's local timezone (e.g., 10/29/2025, 8:30:45 AM)
  • Date Only: Just the date portion (e.g., 10/29/2025)
  • Time Only: Just the time portion (e.g., 8:30:45 AM)

Why January 1, 1970?

The Unix Epoch (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC) was chosen as the starting point because:

  • Unix operating system was being developed around 1969-1970
  • It was a convenient round date near the beginning of the Unix era
  • Using a fixed reference point simplifies time calculations
  • Negative timestamps represent dates before 1970

Programming Examples

JavaScript / Node.js

// Get current timestamp (milliseconds)
const timestamp = Date.now();

// Convert timestamp to date
const date = new Date(timestamp);

// Convert date to timestamp
const timestamp2 = new Date('2025-10-29').getTime();

Python

import time
from datetime import datetime

# Get current timestamp (seconds)
timestamp = int(time.time())

# Convert timestamp to date
date = datetime.fromtimestamp(timestamp)

# Convert date to timestamp
timestamp2 = int(datetime(2025, 10, 29).timestamp())

PHP

// Get current timestamp
$timestamp = time();

// Convert timestamp to date
$date = date('Y-m-d H:i:s', $timestamp);

// Convert date to timestamp
$timestamp2 = strtotime('2025-10-29');

MySQL / SQL

-- Get current timestamp
SELECT UNIX_TIMESTAMP();

-- Convert timestamp to date
SELECT FROM_UNIXTIME(1761674309);

-- Convert date to timestamp
SELECT UNIX_TIMESTAMP('2025-10-29 12:30:45');

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Unix timestamp (Epoch time)?

Unix timestamp (also known as Epoch time or POSIX time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC (the Unix Epoch). It's a widely used standard for representing date and time in computing systems.

How do I convert Unix timestamp to date?

Simply enter your Unix timestamp (in seconds or milliseconds) into the converter above. The tool will automatically convert it to multiple readable date formats including ISO 8601, UTC, local time, and separate date and time components.

What's the difference between seconds and milliseconds timestamp?

A Unix timestamp in seconds has 10 digits (e.g., 1761674309), while milliseconds has 13 digits (e.g., 1761674309000). Our converter automatically detects and handles both formats. Seconds are commonly used in Unix/Linux systems, while milliseconds are often used in JavaScript and web applications.

How do I get the current Unix timestamp?

The current Unix timestamp is displayed at the top of the page and updates in real-time every second. You can copy it directly or use it for testing and development purposes.

Can I convert dates to Unix timestamp?

Yes! Use the date picker to select any date and time, and the tool will instantly convert it to Unix timestamp in seconds. This is useful for setting timestamps in databases, APIs, or scheduling systems.

Does the converter support timezones?

Yes, our converter displays the timestamp in multiple formats including UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), local time (based on your browser's timezone), and ISO 8601 standard format with timezone information.

Why does my timestamp show a different date than expected?

This usually happens due to timezone differences or confusion between seconds and milliseconds formats. Unix timestamps are always in UTC. Make sure you're using the correct format (10 digits for seconds, 13 for milliseconds) and account for your local timezone offset.

What is ISO 8601 format?

ISO 8601 is an international standard for date and time representation (e.g., 2025-10-29T12:30:45.000Z). The 'T' separates date and time, and 'Z' indicates UTC timezone. It's widely used in APIs, databases, and data interchange formats.

Can I use negative timestamps?

Yes! Negative Unix timestamps represent dates before January 1, 1970. For example, -86400 represents December 31, 1969. Our converter handles negative timestamps correctly.

Is my data stored or tracked?

No! All timestamp conversions happen entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. We do not store, collect, or transmit any of your input data. Your privacy is completely protected.

What is the Year 2038 problem?

The Year 2038 problem (also called Y2K38 or Epochalypse) affects systems that store Unix timestamps as 32-bit signed integers. The maximum value (2,147,483,647) represents January 19, 2038, 03:14:07 UTC. After this, the value wraps around to negative, causing date calculation errors. Modern 64-bit systems are not affected.

Tips for Working with Unix Timestamps

  • ✓ Always use UTC for storage: Store timestamps in UTC to avoid timezone confusion
  • ✓ Be consistent with precision: Choose seconds or milliseconds and stick with it throughout your application
  • ✓ Validate input ranges: Check that timestamps fall within reasonable date ranges
  • ✓ Use ISO 8601 for APIs: Prefer ISO 8601 format for API responses as it includes timezone information
  • ✓ Consider leap seconds: Unix time doesn't account for leap seconds in most implementations
  • ✓ Test edge cases: Test with dates before 1970, after 2038, and around DST transitions
  • ✓ Use appropriate data types: Use 64-bit integers for timestamps to avoid the Year 2038 problem
  • ✓ Document your format: Always document whether you're using seconds or milliseconds

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