Unix Timestamp Converter - Epoch Time to Date
Convert Unix timestamps to human-readable dates instantly. This epoch time converter supports both seconds (10-digit) and milliseconds (13-digit) formats. See the current Unix timestamp in real-time and convert to ISO 8601, UTC, and local date formats.
Current Unix Timestamp
0
What is a Unix Timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also known as Epoch time or POSIX time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC. This date is called the Unix Epoch. Unix timestamps provide a timezone-independent way to represent a specific moment in time as a single integer, making them ideal for storing and comparing dates in databases, APIs, and log files.
Seconds vs Milliseconds: Which Should You Use?
Traditional Unix timestamp. Used by most Unix/Linux systems, Python, PHP, and backend APIs. Example: 1705312800
Higher precision for sub-second accuracy. Standard in JavaScript (Date.now()), Java, and frontend applications. Example: 1705312800000
Most REST APIs use seconds for simplicity and smaller payload sizes. JavaScript and real-time applications often prefer milliseconds to track events with sub-second precision. When integrating systems, always check the API documentation to confirm which format is expected.
Common Use Cases
- 🗄Database storage - Store dates as integers for efficient indexing
- 🔗API responses - JSON timestamps in REST and GraphQL APIs
- 📊Log analysis - Parse and compare timestamps across systems
- 🔐JWT tokens - exp and iat claims use Unix timestamps
- ⏱Duration calculations - Simple subtraction for time differences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds since January 1, 1970 (UTC). It represents a specific moment in time as a single integer.
Is Unix timestamp in seconds or milliseconds?
Traditional Unix timestamps are in seconds (10 digits). JavaScript uses milliseconds (13 digits). Check the digit count to determine the format.
How do I convert a Unix timestamp to a date?
Enter the timestamp above, select seconds or milliseconds, and click "Convert to Date". The tool displays ISO 8601, UTC, and local time formats.
What is the current Unix timestamp?
The current Unix timestamp is shown at the top of this page and updates every second. You can copy it or use it directly in the converter.
Common Timestamp Examples
010000000001577836800