Unix Timestamp Converter
A Unix timestamp (epoch time) is the number of seconds elapsed since January 1, 1970 at 00:00 UTC. This free converter turns any Unix timestamp into a human-readable date and time, and converts dates back into timestamps. It automatically detects seconds versus milliseconds and supports negative timestamps for dates before 1970.
How to convert a Unix timestamp
- Paste a Unix timestamp (in seconds or milliseconds) into the converter.
- Read the human-readable date and time. The format is detected automatically.
- To go the other way, enter a date and time to get its Unix timestamp.
- Copy the result for use in your code, database, or logs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also known as POSIX time or Epoch time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 (midnight UTC/GMT), not counting leap seconds. It's a way to represent a point in time as a single integer number.
Why are Unix timestamps useful?
Unix timestamps are useful because they provide a standardized way to represent time across different systems and programming languages. They're independent of time zones and daylight saving time, making them ideal for storing dates and times in databases and for time calculations.
What is the 'Year 2038 problem'?
The Year 2038 problem is a time formatting limitation that will affect Unix systems storing time values as a signed 32-bit integer. The maximum value of this integer (2,147,483,647) corresponds to January 19, 2038. After this point, the timestamp will overflow, potentially causing systems to fail or behave unexpectedly.
Why does the converter show milliseconds when I input a 13-digit number?
In some programming languages and systems (like JavaScript), Unix timestamps are represented in milliseconds rather than seconds, resulting in 13-digit numbers. Our converter automatically detects the format based on the length of your input and converts accordingly.
Can I use the converter for dates before 1970?
Yes, the converter supports dates before January 1, 1970. In Unix time, these dates are represented as negative numbers, counting backwards from the epoch. Our converter handles these negative timestamps correctly when converting to human-readable dates.
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