Convert Unix timestamp to date – epoch converter
Paste any Unix timestamp and see the exact UTC date — or enter a date to get its epoch value for APIs, logs, and database queries.
When do you need to convert Unix timestamps?
Unix timestamp (epoch time) is the number of seconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. It is the standard time representation in programming, databases, APIs, and log files.
Example: 1700000000 = November 14, 2023, 22:13:20 UTC. The current timestamp increases by 1 every second.
Converting timestamps is essential for developers working with APIs, debugging log files, analyzing database records, and understanding time-based data.
All calculations run locally in your browser — nothing is sent to any server.
How do Unix timestamps work?
Unix time counts seconds from the epoch: January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. This date was chosen as a convenient reference point for the original Unix operating system.
Timestamps can be in seconds (10 digits: 1700000000) or milliseconds (13 digits: 1700000000000). JavaScript Date uses milliseconds.
The Year 2038 problem: 32-bit signed integers overflow on January 19, 2038. Most modern systems use 64-bit timestamps to avoid this.
Timestamp formats
| Feature | Unix (seconds) | Unix (milliseconds) |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 10 digits | 13 digits |
| Example | 1700000000 | 1700000000000 |
| Used by | PHP, Python, MySQL | JavaScript, Java |
| Precision | 1 second | 1 millisecond |
| Max (32-bit) | Jan 19, 2038 | N/A (uses 64-bit) |
How to use the converter?
1. Enter a value
Type a number in the input field. You can use a period or comma as the decimal separator.2. Read the result
The conversion result appears instantly in the field next to it – no clicking required.3. Copy or reverse
Click Copy result or use the Reverse button to convert in the opposite direction.
When is this converter useful?
Databases and ORMs
PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB store created_at and updated_at as Unix timestamps. When you query records and see a raw integer like 1700000000, this converter tells you it means November 14, 2023 at 22:13 UTC — so you can confirm whether your migration ran at the right time.JWT Tokens and OAuth
JSON Web Tokens include an exp (expiration) field stored as a Unix timestamp. When a user reports being unexpectedly logged out, paste the exp value here to confirm exactly when the token expired. Also useful for iat (issued at) and nbf (not before) claims in OAuth flows.AWS CloudWatch and Server Logs
AWS CloudWatch, nginx access logs, and systemd journals log events with epoch timestamps. Pasting a raw number from a CloudWatch Logs Insights query instantly shows you the human-readable time — critical when correlating a Lambda cold start with a downstream API failure.Stripe, PayPal, and GitHub APIs
Stripe payment objects include created, current_period_start, and current_period_end as Unix timestamps. GitHub API responses use created_at in ISO 8601, but webhook payloads often include raw epoch values. Converting them lets you verify subscription renewal dates or audit webhook delivery timing.
Practical tips
- JavaScript: Date.now() returns milliseconds. Math.floor(Date.now()/1000) for seconds.
- Python: import time; time.time() returns seconds as float.
- PHP: time() returns seconds as integer.
- MySQL: UNIX_TIMESTAMP() and FROM_UNIXTIME() for conversion.
Explore other unit converters
Frequently asked questions
What is the current Unix timestamp?
It changes every second. In JavaScript: Math.floor(Date.now()/1000) returns the current epoch in seconds. Date.now() returns milliseconds. In Python: import time; int(time.time()) gives seconds. In Bash: date +%s.
What is epoch time?
Epoch (or Unix time) is the number of seconds elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC — the reference point chosen when Unix was designed. It is timezone-independent, which makes it ideal for storing dates in databases and APIs.
How do I get a timestamp in JavaScript?
Seconds: Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000). Milliseconds: Date.now(). From a specific date string: new Date('2024-01-01').getTime() / 1000. To convert a timestamp back: new Date(1700000000 * 1000).toISOString() returns '2023-11-14T22:13:20.000Z'.
How does Python handle Unix timestamps?
import time; time.time() returns a float with sub-second precision. int(time.time()) is the standard integer seconds form. datetime.fromtimestamp(1700000000) converts to a local datetime object. datetime.utcfromtimestamp() converts to UTC without timezone info.
What is the Year 2038 problem?
32-bit signed integers can store timestamps up to 2,147,483,647, which corresponds to January 19, 2038, 03:14:07 UTC. After that, they overflow to a negative number. Modern systems and databases use 64-bit integers, which extend the range to the year 292 billion.
How are timestamps used in Stripe and PayPal?
Stripe stores all dates as Unix timestamps: the created, current_period_start, and current_period_end fields on subscription and invoice objects are epoch seconds. PayPal webhook payloads include create_time in ISO 8601, but event data fields are often Unix. Converting them helps audit payment timing and GDPR retention windows.
What is a JWT exp timestamp?
The exp (expiration) claim in a JSON Web Token is a Unix timestamp in seconds. When a user reports being logged out unexpectedly, decode the JWT (base64) and convert the exp value here to confirm the exact expiry time. The iat (issued at) and nbf (not before) claims are also Unix timestamps.
Are calculations done locally?
Yes. All calculations run in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
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