How do I convert a Unix timestamp to a date?

Enter your Unix timestamp (in seconds or milliseconds) into the input field. GoodParse automatically detects whether it is in seconds or milliseconds and converts it to both your local time and UTC.

What is the difference between seconds and milliseconds timestamps?

Unix timestamps are traditionally measured in seconds (10 digits, e.g., 1718294400). JavaScript Date.now() returns milliseconds (13 digits, e.g., 1718294400000). Our tool automatically detects the magnitude and converts correctly.

What is ISO 8601 format?

ISO 8601 is an international standard for date and time representation. It formats dates as YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.sssZ, where T separates the date and time, and Z indicates UTC. It is the standard format for JSON APIs (e.g., 2024-06-13T12:00:00.000Z).

What is the maximum Unix timestamp?

On 32-bit systems, the maximum Unix timestamp is 2,147,483,647 (January 19, 2038, 03:14:07 UTC), known as the Year 2038 problem. On 64-bit systems, this limit extends billions of years into the future.

ToolsUnix Timestamp Converter

Unix Timestamp Converter

Convert Unix timestamps (epoch) to human-readable dates, or human dates back to epoch time. Supports seconds and milliseconds.

Live System Time

The exact number of seconds since Jan 1, 1970

Unix Epoch Timestamp

Date Conversions

Please enter a valid numeric timestamp.

Local Date & Time (24h)

Epoch Conversions

Please select a valid date and time.

How to use Unix Timestamp Converter?

1
View the live ticking Unix Epoch time in the header. Click 'Copy' to use it.
2
To convert Epoch seconds/milliseconds to human-readable dates, enter the timestamp in the left form panel.
3
To convert a human-readable date to Epoch, choose a local date and time in the right form panel.
4
Use individual copy icons to easily grab the converted values in ISO, UTC, or millisecond formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Unix Timestamp?

A Unix timestamp (Epoch time) is a system for describing a point in time. It is the number of seconds that have elapsed since the Unix epoch (midnight UTC on January 1, 1970).

Why does my timestamp look like it's from the future?

You likely have a timestamp in milliseconds (which JavaScript uses) instead of seconds. Our tool tries to detect this automatically.

Mastering Unix Timestamp Conversions

Quick Answer: A Unix Timestamp (or Epoch Time) is a method of tracking time as a single integer, representing the total number of seconds (or milliseconds) that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 (UTC).

In computer science, time is frequently measured using a Unix Timestamp (also known as Epoch time). This system represents time as the total number of seconds (or milliseconds) that have elapsed since midnight on January 1, 1970 (UTC), completely ignoring leap seconds.

While incredibly efficient for database storage, backend logic, and API payloads, a 10-digit number like 1718294400 is meaningless to a human reader. When debugging server logs, analyzing JWT expiration claims, or working with frontend dates, converting between Epoch time and human-readable dates is a daily necessity.

Why Use Our Online Epoch Converter?

Automatic Millisecond Detection: One of the most common bugs in time conversion is mixing up seconds and milliseconds (JavaScript uses milliseconds, PHP uses seconds). Our converter intelligently detects the magnitude of your input and converts it flawlessly.
Local and UTC Timezones: We simultaneously display the resulting date in your local browser timezone as well as UTC, eliminating confusing offset calculation errors.
Instant Two-Way Conversion: You can quickly convert a timestamp into a date, or use the interactive calendar to select a human date and generate the exact Unix timestamp required for your database.

Unix Time vs ISO 8601 vs RFC 2822: Time Formats Compared

Depending on your application architecture, you may need to choose between different time representations. Here is a direct comparison:

Feature	Unix Time	ISO 8601	RFC 2822
Format Example	1718294400	2024-06-13T16:00:00Z	Thu, 13 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000
Human Readable	No	Yes (Standardized)	Yes (Verbose)
Data Type	Integer (Number)	String	String
Timezone Info	Always UTC	Supported (+07:00 or Z)	Supported
Storage Size	4-8 bytes	20-24 bytes	31 bytes
Best Used For	Databases, API sorting, JWT	REST APIs, JSON payloads	Email headers, RSS feeds

Whether you are a data engineer analyzing historical logs or a frontend developer mocking API responses, our Unix Timestamp Converter is the fastest way to translate machine time into human time without leaving your browser.