TIMESTAMP

Unix Timestamp Converter

Convert Unix timestamps into readable dates. Paste a value in seconds or milliseconds and see it in UTC, your local time and ISO 8601.

What is a Unix timestamp?

A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds that have passed since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970, a moment known as the Unix epoch. Because it is one plain number, it does not depend on time zones, calendars or daylight saving time, which makes it a reliable way for programs, databases and APIs to store and compare moments in time.

Leap seconds are not counted, so every day is exactly 86,400 seconds long in Unix time. Dates before 1970 are negative numbers: -86400 is 31 December 1969.

How does Unix time work?

Most systems store the timestamp in seconds, which is 10 digits today, like 1790000000. JavaScript, Java and many web APIs use milliseconds instead, which is 13 digits, like 1790000000000. The Auto setting treats values with 12 or more digits as milliseconds and everything else as seconds. Switch to Seconds or Milliseconds when you know the unit.

Want the background? Read our comprehensive guide: What Is Unix Time?.

How to use this tool

Paste or type a Unix timestamp into the field. Negative numbers and decimals such as 1790000000.5 work too.
Leave Unit on Auto, or choose Seconds or Milliseconds.
Select Convert. The result shows UTC, your local time and ISO 8601.
Use the Copy button next to a value, or select Current Timestamp to convert the present moment.

Examples

These examples use the Auto unit setting. Results are shown in UTC so they are the same for everyone.

The Unix epoch

0 (seconds)

UTC: 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
ISO 8601: 1970-01-01T00:00:00.000Z

A timestamp in seconds

1790000000 (seconds)

UTC: 2026-09-21 14:13:20 UTC
ISO 8601: 2026-09-21T14:13:20.000Z

A timestamp in milliseconds

1790000000123 (milliseconds)

UTC: 2026-09-21 14:13:20.123 UTC
ISO 8601: 2026-09-21T14:13:20.123Z

Twelve or more digits are detected as milliseconds.

A negative timestamp

-86400 (seconds)

UTC: 1969-12-31 00:00:00 UTC
ISO 8601: 1969-12-31T00:00:00.000Z

Negative values are moments before 1 January 1970.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Unix timestamp for right now?

Select Current Timestamp to convert it here, or open the live Current Unix Timestamp page. The value increases by one every second.

How do I know if a timestamp is in seconds or milliseconds?

Count the digits. Current timestamps have 10 digits in seconds and 13 digits in milliseconds. The Auto setting applies the same rule.

Does a Unix timestamp include a time zone?

No. A Unix timestamp refers to the same instant everywhere. The time zone only matters when you display it as a calendar date and clock time, which is why the tool shows both UTC and your local time.

Which dates can the converter handle?

Dates from the year 1 to the year 9999, in seconds or milliseconds. Values outside that range show an error message.