⏱️ Unix Timestamp Converter
Convert dates to Unix timestamps and epoch time instantly. Convert between human-readable dates and Unix timestamps (seconds since January 1, 1970).
Quick Reference: Common Timestamps
How Unix Timestamp Conversion Works
A Unix timestamp (also called epoch time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Here's how the conversion works:
- Date to Timestamp: The calculator counts the number of seconds from the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970) to your specified date and time.
- Timestamp to Date: The calculator adds the specified number of seconds to the Unix epoch to determine the corresponding date and time.
- UTC vs Local Time: Unix timestamps are always in UTC. The calculator converts between UTC and your local time zone for display.
- Milliseconds: Some systems use milliseconds instead of seconds. The calculator can show both formats.
Unix timestamps are widely used in programming, databases, APIs, and system logs because they provide a standardized way to represent dates and times that's independent of time zones and calendar systems.
Common Use Cases
💻 Programming & Development
Developers use Unix timestamps in APIs, databases, and applications. This converter helps debug timestamp issues and convert between formats.
🗄️ Database Queries
Many databases store dates as Unix timestamps. This tool helps convert human-readable dates to timestamps for database queries.
📊 Data Analysis
Data analysts convert timestamps to readable dates when working with log files, analytics data, or system events.
🔧 System Administration
System administrators use Unix timestamps in log files, cron jobs, and system configurations. This converter helps interpret these timestamps.
🌐 API Development
Many APIs use Unix timestamps for date/time parameters. This tool helps developers test and debug API calls.
📱 Mobile Development
Mobile apps often use Unix timestamps for date storage and synchronization. This converter helps developers work with these values.
Technical Details
Unix Epoch: January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC
Format: Number of seconds since the epoch (32-bit signed integer can represent dates from 1901 to 2038)
Precision: Seconds (for milliseconds, multiply/divide by 1000)
Time Zone: Always UTC (converted to local time for display)
Year 2038 Problem: 32-bit Unix timestamps will overflow on January 19, 2038. Most modern systems use 64-bit timestamps to avoid this issue.