What's the difference between seconds and milliseconds timestamps?

Unix timestamps can be expressed in seconds (10 digits) or milliseconds (13 digits). Seconds timestamps count from January 1, 1970, while milliseconds provide more precision. JavaScript uses milliseconds, while many Unix systems use seconds. This tool works with milliseconds by default.

Why does my timestamp show a different date than expected?

This is usually due to timezone differences. Unix timestamps are always in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). When converted to a local date, the time will be adjusted to your timezone. Make sure you're accounting for timezone offsets when comparing timestamps.

What date formats can I use for conversion?

The tool accepts most standard date formats including ISO 8601 (2021-01-01T00:00:00Z), RFC 2822 (Mon, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT), and many natural language formats. For best results, use ISO 8601 format.

What is the maximum date I can convert?

JavaScript timestamps can represent dates up to approximately September 13, 275760. However, most systems use 32-bit timestamps which will overflow on January 19, 2038 (known as the Year 2038 problem). Modern systems are transitioning to 64-bit timestamps to avoid this issue.

Timestamp Converter

Convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates instantly.

Current Timestamp

Unix Timestamp (ms)

1775609831139

ISO 8601

2026-04-08T00:57:11.139Z

UTC

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:57:11 GMT

Local

4/8/2026, 12:57:11 AM

Timestamp to Date

Unix Timestamp (ms)

Date to Timestamp

Date (ISO 8601 or any valid format)

What is a Unix Timestamp?

A Unix timestamp (also known as Epoch time) is the number of seconds or milliseconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. This standardized time format is widely used in programming and databases because it's timezone-independent and easy to work with mathematically. Unix timestamps are commonly used for storing dates in databases, logging events, and synchronizing time across distributed systems.

How to Use the Timestamp Converter

To convert a Unix timestamp to a human-readable date, enter the timestamp in milliseconds in the "Timestamp to Date" field. The tool will instantly display the corresponding date in ISO 8601, UTC, and local time formats. To convert a date to a Unix timestamp, enter any valid date string in the "Date to Timestamp" field. The tool accepts various date formats including ISO 8601, RFC 2822, and natural language dates.

Common Use Cases

Timestamp converters are essential for debugging server logs, analyzing database records with timestamp fields, converting API response dates, troubleshooting timezone issues, and understanding when events occurred in distributed systems. They're particularly useful when working with databases like MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL that store dates as timestamps, or when integrating with APIs that use Unix time.