DigiKitUnix Timestamp Converter (Epoch)
Enter a timestamp or a date to see seconds, milliseconds, UTC and local time.
What is a Unix timestamp (epoch time)?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds since 1 January 1970 00:00:00 UTC. Computers, databases and APIs like to store time as this single number rather than a readable date: it sorts easily and is independent of time zones. When debugging you need to turn it into a readable date.
How to use it
- Choose “Timestamp → date” and type the number (e.g. 1760000000). Leave it blank to see the current time.
- To find a timestamp from a date, choose “Date → timestamp” and type a date such as 2026-10-14 12:30:00.
- Press Run to see UTC, local time, seconds and milliseconds.
Sample values
| Timestamp | UTC date |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1970-01-01 00:00:00 |
| 1000000000 | 2001-09-09 01:46:40 |
| 1760000000 | 2025-10-09 08:53:20 |
| 2147483647 | 2038-01-19 03:14:07 |
Seconds or milliseconds?
10-digit values are seconds and 13-digit values are milliseconds. The tool separates them by digit count. Entering a number in the wrong unit lands the date in 1970 or the far future.
Getting the current time in code
| Language | Seconds / milliseconds |
|---|---|
| JavaScript | Math.floor(Date.now()/1000) / Date.now() |
| Python | int(time.time()) |
| PHP | time() |
| Java | System.currentTimeMillis() (ms) |
| SQL (MySQL) | UNIX_TIMESTAMP() |
The 2038 problem
The largest timestamp in a signed 32-bit integer is 2147483647, which is 19 January 2038 03:14:07 UTC. On 64-bit systems the limit is practically absent, but old systems need care.
The time zone trap
A Unix timestamp is always counted in UTC and carries no time zone. The same timestamp can show 3 pm in Istanbul and noon in London. Turkey has used UTC+3 all year since 2016, so it has no daylight saving shift, but the other country may.
When reading a time in a log file, first check whether it is shown in UTC or local time. When working with teams in different countries, sharing times in UTC avoids confusion.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
It is the number of seconds since 1 January 1970 00:00:00 UTC (the epoch). Software uses it to store time as a single number independent of time zones.
Seconds or milliseconds?
10-digit values are usually seconds (e.g. 1760000000) and 13-digit values milliseconds. JavaScript Date.now() returns milliseconds, Python time.time() returns seconds. The tool tells them apart by digit count.
What is the 2038 problem?
Timestamps stored in a signed 32-bit integer overflow on 19 January 2038 at 03:14:07 UTC (2,147,483,647). Modern systems use 64 bits so it is not an issue in most places, but old embedded systems may be at risk.
How are time zones handled?
A timestamp is always UTC-based. The tool shows local time in your browser's time zone. If you type a date without a zone, your browser's zone is used.