Timestamp Converter
Convert Unix timestamps to readable dates or convert dates to Unix timestamps instantly.
Unix Timestamp (Seconds)
ISO 8601 Date
💡 Timezone: All times shown in UTC. Unix timestamps are seconds since Jan 1, 1970 UTC.
Both fields convert automatically as you type. Click "Now" for current timestamp or date.
How to Convert Timestamps
- Enter a Unix timestamp (e.g., 1704067200) or ISO date (e.g., 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z)
- The tool automatically converts as you type
- Click "Now" buttons to insert current timestamp or date
- Click "Copy" to copy results to your clipboard
Why Timestamps Matter
Database Storage
Timestamps are compact and timezone-independent for database records.
API Communication
Most APIs exchange data using ISO 8601 dates or Unix timestamps.
Logging & Debugging
Quickly identify when events occurred by reading timestamps in logs.
Cross-Platform
Unix timestamps work across all systems and programming languages.
Timestamp Converter Features
Bidirectional
Convert from Unix timestamp to ISO 8601 or vice versa. Both directions work perfectly.
Real-Time Conversion
Get instant results as you type. See conversions in milliseconds.
Current Time
One-click access to current Unix timestamp and ISO 8601 date.
Privacy Focused
100% client-side processing. No server communication, completely private.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (epoch time) is the number of seconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. It's universally used in computing for consistent time representation.
Why use timestamps instead of dates?
Timestamps are timezone-independent, compact, and easy for computers to calculate differences. They're the standard for databases, APIs, and logging systems.
What is ISO 8601 format?
ISO 8601 is an international standard for date/time: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ssZ. The Z indicates UTC timezone for standardized global communication.
Are timestamps in seconds or milliseconds?
This converter uses seconds (standard Unix timestamp). Some systems use milliseconds. If needed, divide or multiply by 1000 to convert.
How do I handle different timezones?
All conversions are in UTC. For other timezones, add/subtract hours (e.g., UTC-5 is 5 hours behind). ISO 8601 includes timezone offset information.
What is the Y2038 problem?
On January 19, 2038, 32-bit Unix timestamps overflow. Use 64-bit systems and types to avoid issues. Most modern systems already handle this.
About Timestamp Conversion
Timestamps and dates serve different purposes in computing. Timestamps are compact, timezone-independent storage; dates are human-readable display formats. Both need frequent conversion.
Common Applications:
- Database Storage: Compact and timezone-independent for all systems
- API Communication: Most APIs exchange data using ISO 8601 or timestamps
- Debugging: Quickly identify when events occurred in logs
- Calculations: Easy to calculate time differences using timestamps
- Cross-Platform: Unix timestamps work across all systems and languages
- Logging Systems: Log entries typically use timestamps for ordering
- Scheduling: Cron jobs and task schedulers use timestamps
- Version Control: Git and other VCS use timestamps for commits