Unix Timestamp Converter
Convert Unix/epoch timestamps to human-readable dates or convert dates back to Unix timestamps. Live current timestamp updates every second.
Current Unix Timestamp
seconds since January 1, 1970 (UTC)
Milliseconds: —
Timestamp → Human Date
Date → Timestamp
About This Tool
A Unix timestamp (also called epoch time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00 UTC — also known as the Unix epoch. It is a simple, unambiguous way to represent a specific point in time regardless of time zones or locale. Unix timestamps are used universally in databases, APIs, log files, file systems, and programming languages.
This tool provides three functions: a live clock showing the current Unix timestamp in seconds and milliseconds (updates every second), a converter from Unix timestamp to UTC and local human-readable date, and a converter from a selected date and time back to a Unix timestamp. Both seconds and milliseconds are supported.
The live timestamp is useful for quickly grabbing the current epoch time — for example to use as a value in a database query, debug a time-based issue, or check how far in the past a logged timestamp is.
How to Use
- The Current Unix Timestamp section shows the live epoch time, updating every second.
- To convert a timestamp to a date: choose the unit (seconds or milliseconds), enter the timestamp, and click Convert. Both UTC and local timezone results are shown.
- To convert a date to a timestamp: use the date/time picker to select a date and time, then click Convert. The result is in the unit selected above.
- Use the Copy buttons to copy any result to your clipboard.
Unix Timestamp Facts
- Unix epoch: January 1, 1970 00:00:00 UTC = timestamp 0
- Timestamps in seconds are 10 digits; milliseconds are 13 digits
- The 32-bit Unix timestamp will overflow on January 19, 2038 (the "Year 2038 problem")
- 64-bit timestamps won't overflow for billions of years
- JavaScript's
Date.now()returns milliseconds; divide by 1000 for seconds
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00 UTC, known as the Unix epoch. It is a universal, timezone-independent way to represent a point in time, used in databases, APIs, and programming languages worldwide.
What is epoch time?
Epoch time is another name for Unix timestamp. The epoch refers to the starting point — January 1, 1970 UTC — from which all timestamps are counted. Both terms mean the same thing and are used interchangeably.
How do I know if a timestamp is in seconds or milliseconds?
A 10-digit timestamp is in seconds (e.g. 1714000000). A 13-digit timestamp is in milliseconds (e.g. 1714000000000). JavaScript's Date.now() returns milliseconds — divide by 1000 to get seconds. Most databases store timestamps in seconds.
Why does Unix time start on January 1, 1970?
January 1, 1970 was chosen as the epoch when Unix was being developed in the late 1960s. It was a convenient round date close to the system's creation time. The exact reason was largely practical — any fixed starting point works as long as it's consistent.
What is the Year 2038 problem?
32-bit systems store Unix timestamps as a signed 32-bit integer, which overflows on January 19, 2038. After that point, the value wraps around to a negative number representing 1901. Modern 64-bit systems are not affected and will not overflow for billions of years.