Timestamp Converter

Convert between Unix timestamps, ISO dates, and human-readable formats

Current Time
The current time in different formats
Convert Timestamp
Convert between different timestamp formats

Conversion Results

About Our Timestamp Converter

Our free online timestamp converter helps you convert between different date and time formats instantly. Whether you're working with Unix timestamps, ISO 8601 dates, or human-readable formats, our tool makes it easy to convert between them.

What is a Timestamp?

A timestamp is a sequence of characters or encoded information that identifies when a certain event occurred. Timestamps are used extensively in computing to record when data was created, modified, or accessed. Different systems use different timestamp formats, which is why conversion tools are essential.

Supported Formats

Unix Timestamp

Number of seconds (or milliseconds) since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. Widely used in programming and databases.

ISO 8601

International standard format (YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ssZ). Unambiguous and widely supported.

Human-Readable

Easy-to-understand formats like "March 15, 2024, 12:30:45 PM" based on your timezone preferences.

Benefits of Using a Timestamp Converter

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Work seamlessly across platforms, databases, and programming languages.

Debugging and Development

Quickly convert between formats to understand when events occurred.

Data Migration

Accurately convert timestamps when migrating data between systems.

API Integration

Work with various APIs that use different timestamp formats.

Log Analysis

Understand and analyze log entries more easily.

Timezone Support

Convert timestamps to your local time or any other timezone.

Common Use Cases

Database Queries

Convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable dates when writing SQL queries.

API Development

Convert timestamps when building or consuming REST APIs.

Log File Analysis

Convert timestamps in log files to understand when events occurred.

Data Export/Import

Convert timestamps when exporting data from one system to another.

Debugging

Understand timing issues in applications or verify timestamp storage.

Reporting

Convert timestamps to readable formats for reports and dashboards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Unix timestamp in seconds and milliseconds?

Unix timestamps can be represented in seconds (since epoch) or milliseconds (since epoch × 1000). Most systems use seconds, but JavaScript and some other systems use milliseconds. Our converter handles both formats.

What is epoch time?

Epoch time, also known as Unix epoch, is January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. This is the reference point from which Unix timestamps are calculated. All Unix timestamps represent the number of seconds (or milliseconds) that have elapsed since this moment.

How do I convert a Unix timestamp to a date in my programming language?

Most programming languages have built-in functions for this. In JavaScript, use `new Date(timestamp * 1000)` for seconds or `new Date(timestamp)` for milliseconds. In Python, use `datetime.fromtimestamp(timestamp)`. In PHP, use `date('Y-m-d H:i:s', timestamp)`. Our converter can help you verify the correct conversion.

What is ISO 8601 format?

ISO 8601 is an international standard for date and time representation. It uses the format YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ssZ, where T separates the date and time, and Z indicates UTC timezone. For example, 2024-03-15T12:30:45Z represents March 15, 2024, at 12:30:45 PM UTC.

Can I convert timestamps with timezone information?

Yes, our converter supports timezone conversion. You can select from a wide range of timezones, and the converter will show you how the same moment in time is represented in different timezones. This is especially useful when working with international applications or distributed systems.

Why do some timestamps show negative numbers?

Negative Unix timestamps represent dates before January 1, 1970 (the Unix epoch). These are valid timestamps and can represent historical dates. Our converter handles both positive and negative timestamps correctly.