How to use Unix Timestamp Converter
To convert a Unix timestamp to a date, paste the raw epoch value into the input field. The tool auto-detects whether the value is in seconds (10-digit) or milliseconds (13-digit) and immediately shows the equivalent date and time in UTC, your local timezone, and ISO 8601 format — all at once without clicking any button. This makes it easy to cross-reference timezone conversions instantly.
To get the Unix timestamp for a specific date, switch to Date → Timestamp mode and use the date and time picker to set the moment you want. Select whether to interpret the input as UTC or local time, and the corresponding epoch value appears in both seconds and milliseconds. Copy either value directly to your clipboard for use in code, API calls, or database queries.
Why use our Unix Timestamp Converter?
- Auto-detects seconds vs. milliseconds based on digit count — no manual selection needed
- Shows UTC, local time, and ISO 8601 format simultaneously for easy comparison
- Bidirectional — timestamp to date and date to timestamp in the same tool
- Live output — updates as you type, no button to press
- Built for developers — output format matches common API and database expectations
- Live output as you type — no button press or page reload required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between this tool and the Timestamp Converter?
Both tools convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates, but this tool is optimized for developer workflows: it shows results live as you type, displays multiple output formats simultaneously (UTC, local, ISO 8601), and is designed for quick lookup during debugging or API work. The Timestamp Converter is better for users who prefer a form-based flow with explicit Convert buttons and explanations. Choose whichever fits your workflow.
What is ISO 8601 format and why does it matter?
ISO 8601 is the international standard for representing dates and times as strings. The format is YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ssZ (e.g., 2024-02-18T12:00:00Z), where T separates the date and time and Z means UTC. It is the format used by JSON APIs, HTTP headers, HTML datetime inputs, CSV exports, and almost every modern data exchange format. Because it sorts lexicographically (alphabetically) in the same order as chronologically, it is also excellent for use as a filename component or a database sort key.
How do I get the current Unix timestamp in my programming language?
JavaScript: Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000) for seconds; Date.now() for milliseconds. Python: import time; int(time.time()). Go: time.Now().Unix(). PHP: time(). Ruby: Time.now.to_i. Java: System.currentTimeMillis() / 1000. SQL (PostgreSQL): EXTRACT(EPOCH FROM NOW())::bigint. SQL (MySQL): UNIX_TIMESTAMP(). Bash: date +%s. All of these return the number of seconds (or milliseconds for JS) since the Unix epoch in UTC.
Why does my timestamp look wrong when converted?
The most common cause is a unit mismatch: passing milliseconds to a function expecting seconds (or vice versa). If your timestamp has 13 digits and your result is a year like 55,000, you're passing milliseconds to a seconds-based function — divide by 1000. If your timestamp has 10 digits and your result looks like it's in 1970, you may be passing seconds to a milliseconds-based function — multiply by 1000. Other causes: the timestamp was generated in a local timezone but you're interpreting it as UTC, or the timestamp is a date in the past/future that looks unusual because it's outside your expected range.