Timestamp Converter
Convert between Unix timestamps, ISO 8601 dates, and human-readable formats. All conversions are performed in your browser - no data is sent to any server.
Convert Time Format
Input Format
Conversion Results
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also called Epoch time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 (midnight UTC/GMT), not counting leap seconds. Unix timestamps are widely used in computer systems and programming as they provide a standardized way to represent time across different systems and timezones.
What is ISO 8601?
ISO 8601 is an internationally recognized standard for representing dates and times. It follows the format: YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ssZ, where:
• YYYY-MM-DD represents the date (year, month, day)
• T is a separator indicating the start of the time element
• hh:mm:ss represents the time (hours, minutes, seconds)
• Z indicates that the time is in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
For example: 2023-03-21T14:32:10Z represents March 21, 2023, 2:32:10 PM in UTC.
Why are there two Unix timestamp formats?
Unix timestamps come in two common variations:
• Seconds format: The traditional Unix timestamp, counting seconds since January 1, 1970. This is used in many programming languages and databases.
• Milliseconds format: A more precise version that counts milliseconds (1/1000 of a second) since January 1, 1970. This format is commonly used in JavaScript (via Date.getTime() method), Java, and many modern systems.
To convert between them, multiply seconds by 1000 to get milliseconds, or divide milliseconds by 1000 to get seconds.
What's the difference between UTC and local time?
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It's essentially the same as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) for most practical purposes and doesn't observe daylight saving time.
Local time is the time observed at a specific location, accounting for the timezone offset from UTC and any daylight saving time rules. For example, New York (Eastern Time) can be UTC-5 or UTC-4, depending on whether daylight saving time is in effect.
Computer systems often store timestamps in UTC to avoid confusion with timezone variations, and then convert to local time for display purposes.
What formats can I input in the "Human Readable Date" option?
This tool accepts a variety of common date and time formats for the "Human Readable Date" option, such as:
• "March 21, 2023"
• "21 Mar 2023 14:30"
• "3/21/2023 2:30 PM"
• "2023-03-21 14:30:00"
The tool will attempt to parse the date using JavaScript's built-in date parsing capabilities. For best results, use clear formats like "YYYY-MM-DD" or standard date strings like "March 21, 2023 14:30:00".
Is my data secure when using this tool?
Yes, all timestamp conversions are performed entirely in your browser. Your date and time data never leaves your device and is not sent to any server. This tool uses JavaScript running locally in your browser to perform the conversions, ensuring complete privacy.