What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds elapsed since January 1, 1970 (UTC). It's the universal time format used in databases, APIs, and programming languages. This tool converts between Unix epoch (seconds and milliseconds), ISO 8601, RFC 2822, and human-readable date strings.
What a Unix timestamp is
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds that have elapsed since midnight UTC on 1 January 1970, known as the Unix epoch. It is the most common way to store a moment in time in databases, logs, and APIs because it is a single number with no timezone ambiguity. This tool converts a timestamp into a human-readable date and back again.
Some systems use milliseconds instead of seconds, producing a number that is a thousand times larger; the converter recognises both so you do not have to guess which one a value uses.
Timestamps, UTC, and local time
A Unix timestamp always refers to an absolute instant in UTC. The same instant is shown at different clock times depending on the viewer's timezone. When you convert a timestamp, the tool shows both the UTC time and your local time, and also the ISO 8601 string that most APIs use for interchange.
The Year 2038 note
Systems that store Unix time in a signed 32-bit integer overflow on 19 January 2038, a limit known as the Year 2038 problem. Modern platforms use 64-bit timestamps, which push the boundary billions of years out, but the limit is worth knowing when working with older systems and embedded devices.
How to convert a timestamp
- 1Enter a timestamp or date. Paste a Unix timestamp, or a date, to convert in either direction. Use Now to insert the current time.
- 2Click Convert. See the value as a Unix timestamp, a UTC date, your local time, and an ISO 8601 string.
- 3Copy the format you need. Copy the representation your database or API expects.
Examples
Timestamp to date
Input
1700000000
Output
2023-11-14 22:13:20 UTC · ISO 2023-11-14T22:13:20Z
Milliseconds timestamp
1000x larger than a seconds timestamp.
Input
1700000000000
Output
Same instant: 2023-11-14 22:13:20 UTC
Date to timestamp
Input
2026-01-01T00:00:00Z
Output
1767225600
Time formats
Ways the same instant is written.
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Unix (seconds) | 1700000000 |
| Unix (milliseconds) | 1700000000000 |
| ISO 8601 | 2023-11-14T22:13:20Z |
| UTC | 2023-11-14 22:13:20 UTC |
| Epoch | 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Unix epoch?+
It is the reference point for Unix time: 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970. A timestamp counts the seconds since that instant.
Is a timestamp in seconds or milliseconds?+
Both are used. A seconds timestamp is about 10 digits today; a milliseconds timestamp is about 13. The converter detects and handles either.
Does a Unix timestamp include a timezone?+
No. It is always UTC. Timezones only affect how that absolute instant is displayed as a local clock time.
What is ISO 8601?+
A standard text format for dates and times, such as 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z, widely used by APIs because it is unambiguous and sorts correctly as text.
Is my input sent anywhere?+
No. Conversion runs in your browser.
Is it free?+
Yes — free with no sign-up.
How do I get the current timestamp?+
Use the Now action to insert the current time, then convert it to any format you need.