Developer date tool
Unix Timestamp Converter
A Unix timestamp counts elapsed seconds from 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC.
Date Time Encyclopedia answer, with calculation details and assumptions below.
Unix time is a UTC-based way to identify an instant. Local calendar dates are formatted from that instant after a time zone is chosen.
Snapshot
Unix Timestamp Converter
A Unix timestamp counts elapsed seconds from 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC.
Unix time is a UTC-based way to identify an instant. Local calendar dates are formatted from that instant after a time zone is chosen.
- Epoch
- 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
- Common unit
- Seconds
- Millisecond variant
- Seconds multiplied by 1,000
- Time zone basis
- UTC instant
Method
Convert a date to Unix time by reading the UTC instant in milliseconds and dividing by 1,000. Convert Unix seconds back to a date by multiplying by 1,000 and formatting the resulting instant.
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Seconds, milliseconds, and local display
Unix timestamps usually appear in seconds, while JavaScript timestamps commonly use milliseconds. The number identifies a UTC instant; local dates are display formats derived from that instant.
Common timestamp checks
Check whether the value is in seconds or milliseconds before converting. A 10-digit value is usually seconds, while a 13-digit value is usually milliseconds.
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FAQ
What does a Unix timestamp measure?
A Unix timestamp measures elapsed seconds from 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC in the conventional POSIX model.
Is Unix time the same as local time?
No. Unix time represents a UTC instant. Local time is a formatted display of that instant in a time zone.
How can I tell seconds from milliseconds?
Unix timestamps in seconds are often 10 digits for current dates, while millisecond timestamps are often 13 digits.