Programming tool
Unix Timestamp Converter
Convert epoch time to a readable date, or turn a UTC or local date into a Unix timestamp.
The unit is explicit so values such as 1000 are never guessed.
Converted values
—————What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp counts elapsed time from the Unix epoch: January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00 UTC. It gives software a compact, timezone-independent way to store and compare moments.
Seconds vs milliseconds
Traditional Unix time uses seconds, while JavaScript and many APIs use milliseconds. A millisecond timestamp is exactly 1,000 times its seconds equivalent.
UTC and local time
A timestamp identifies one instant. UTC shows that instant against the global reference clock; local time applies your browser's timezone and daylight-saving rules. When converting a typed date, choose the intended interpretation explicitly.
Negative timestamps and common uses
Negative timestamps represent dates before the Unix epoch. Developers use epoch time for logs, database records, API payloads, cache expiry, scheduling, and sorting events across systems.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Unix time manually?
Start at January 1, 1970 UTC and add the timestamp's seconds. For milliseconds, divide by 1,000 first.
Why does the local date differ from UTC?
Your local representation includes your timezone offset and daylight-saving rules. Both displays still represent the same instant.
Does this tool send dates to a server?
No. All parsing and conversion happens locally in your browser.