Unix Timestamp Converter
Convert Unix timestamps to human-readable dates and back. See the current timestamp ticking in real-time.
The Unix timestamp (also known as Unix time, POSIX time, or Epoch time) is a system for describing a point in time. It is the number of seconds that have elapsed since the Unix epoch, which was at 00:00:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Thursday, 1 January 1970. It is widely used in Unix-like operating systems as well as in many file formats and APIs because it is unambiguous and not dependent on time zones.
While the standard is based on seconds, many modern systems and programming languages (like JavaScript) use milliseconds for greater precision. This tool allows you to convert between both.
- API Development: Timestamps provide a standardized, language-agnostic way to represent dates and times in API requests and responses.
- Database Storage: Storing dates as integer timestamps can make sorting and querying by date very efficient.
- Caching: Used to set expiration times for cached data (e.g., in a "cache-until" field).
- Logging: Many log formats use timestamps to record the exact moment an event occurred.
Why is it called the "epoch"?
In computing, an epoch is a fixed date and time used as a reference from which a computer measures system time. The Unix epoch is the most famous example and serves as the starting point for most digital timekeeping.
What is the 'Year 2038 problem'?
This is a potential bug in older, 32-bit computer systems. On these systems, the Unix timestamp is stored as a 32-bit signed integer. At 03:14:07 UTC on 19 January 2038, this integer will overflow, which could cause system failures. Modern 64-bit systems do not have this problem, as their timestamp values will not overflow for billions of years.
What about leap seconds?
The Unix timestamp does not account for leap seconds. It increases by exactly 86,400 seconds every day. This means it is not a true representation of UTC, but rather a linear representation of time.
Is my data secure?
Yes. All conversions are performed on your device in your browser. The data you enter is never sent to our servers.