Developer Tools

Unix Timestamp Converter — Epoch to Date, Any Timezone

Convert Unix timestamps to human-readable dates or any date to epoch time. Supports timezones, milliseconds, batch conversion, and live current timestamp.

Live Current Timestamp
Seconds · 10-digit
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Milliseconds · 13-digit
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What is a Unix Timestamp?

A Unix timestamp — also called epoch time or Unix time — is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC, a reference point known as the Unix epoch. It is a universal, timezone-agnostic way for computers to represent any point in time as a single integer.

The reason 1970 was chosen is largely historical: it was a round number close to the birth of Unix at Bell Labs, and the developers needed a fixed reference point that would work across systems. A Unix timestamp ignores leap seconds and is always expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), meaning the same number means the exact same instant anywhere on Earth regardless of local timezone.

Unix timestamps are used everywhere in software: databases store created_at and updated_at columns as integers, APIs return event times in epoch format, log files record entries with Unix time for easy sorting, and programming languages use them as the basis for all date arithmetic. You will encounter them in JSON responses from Stripe, GitHub, AWS, and nearly every other major API.

One important caveat: 32-bit signed Unix timestamps will overflow on January 19, 2038, at 03:14:07 UTC — the so-called Year 2038 problem. At that moment, the counter rolls over from its maximum positive value to a large negative number on legacy 32-bit systems, potentially causing date calculation errors. Modern 64-bit systems are not affected and can represent dates billions of years into the future.

Seconds vs Milliseconds — How to Tell the Difference

A 10-digit Unix timestamp (e.g. 1714000000) represents time in seconds since the epoch. A 13-digit timestamp (e.g. 1714000000000) represents the same moment in milliseconds — simply multiplied by 1,000. This tool auto-detects which format you have pasted based on digit count, so you do not need to specify it manually. When in doubt: if the number is 13 digits, it is milliseconds.

How to Convert a Unix Timestamp

  1. Paste your timestamp into the input field in the “Timestamp → Date” tab above.
  2. Auto-detection runs instantly — the tool identifies whether your timestamp is in seconds or milliseconds and displays the result.
  3. Select your target timezone from the dropdown to see the converted date in UTC, your local timezone, or any of the 10 supported IANA timezones.
  4. Copy any result using the Copy buttons, or switch to the Batch Convert tab to process an entire list and download it as a CSV file.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Unix timestamp?

A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 00:00:00 UTC, also called the Unix epoch. It is a universal way for computers to represent a point in time independent of timezone or locale. The same integer means the exact same instant anywhere on Earth.

How do I convert a Unix timestamp to a readable date?

Paste your Unix timestamp into the converter field in the "Timestamp → Date" tab above. The tool automatically detects whether it is in seconds (10 digits) or milliseconds (13 digits) and displays the equivalent date and time in UTC, your local timezone, and any timezone you choose from the dropdown.

What is the difference between a 10-digit and 13-digit timestamp?

A 10-digit Unix timestamp represents time in seconds since the epoch. A 13-digit timestamp represents the same moment in milliseconds — it is simply multiplied by 1,000. JavaScript's Date.now() returns milliseconds; most Unix systems and databases return seconds. This tool auto-detects which format you have pasted.

What is the current Unix timestamp?

The current Unix timestamp is shown live at the top of this tool, updating every second. You can copy it in seconds (10-digit) or milliseconds (13-digit) format with a single click.

What is the Year 2038 problem?

On January 19, 2038 at 03:14:07 UTC, 32-bit systems that store Unix timestamps as a signed 32-bit integer will overflow and roll back to a large negative number, potentially causing date calculation errors. Modern 64-bit systems are unaffected and can represent dates billions of years into the future. Legacy embedded systems, older databases, and some 32-bit software may still be at risk.

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