How to Convert Unix Timestamps
Unix timestamps appear everywhere — API responses, database records, log files, JWT tokens. They're great for machines but unreadable for humans. This guide shows you how to convert between timestamps and dates instantly.
When You Need Timestamp Conversion
- Debugging an API response that returns epoch time
- Reading log file timestamps
- Checking JWT token expiration (the exp claim is a Unix timestamp)
- Converting dates to timestamps for API requests
- Comparing timestamps across different timezones
How to Convert a Timestamp to a Date
Step 1: Open the tool
Go to the Unix Timestamp Converter. The current timestamp is displayed live at the top.
Step 2: Enter the timestamp
Paste your timestamp in the "Timestamp → Date" panel. The tool auto-detects whether it's in seconds (10 digits) or milliseconds (13 digits).
Step 3: Select timezone and convert
Choose a display timezone and click "Convert". You'll see the date in local format, ISO 8601, and relative time ("3 hours ago").
How to Convert a Date to a Timestamp
Step 1: Enter the date
In the "Date → Timestamp" panel, enter a date in ISO format (e.g. 2026-04-05T12:00:00Z).
Step 2: Convert
Click "Convert" to get the Unix timestamp. Use the seconds / milliseconds toggle to get the format you need.
Tips
- Click the live timestamp at the top to copy the current Unix time — useful for API testing.
- Use "Use current time" button to quickly populate either panel with the current moment.
- If a JWT token has expired, paste its
expvalue here to see exactly when. Or use the Base64 Encoder to decode the full token.
FAQ
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also called epoch time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 00:00:00 UTC. It's a universal way to represent time in computing, used in APIs, databases, logs, and scheduling systems.
Seconds or milliseconds — how do I tell?
A 10-digit number (e.g. 1743811200) is seconds. A 13-digit number (e.g. 1743811200000) is milliseconds. Our tool auto-detects which format you've entered based on the magnitude.
Why do timestamps look different in different timezones?
A Unix timestamp is always UTC. The human-readable representation changes based on timezone — 1743811200 is '2025-04-05 00:00:00' in UTC but '2025-04-05 09:00:00' in Tokyo (UTC+9). The underlying number is the same.
Is my data uploaded to a server?
No. All conversion happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript's Date API. No data is sent anywhere.
Try It Now
Ready to convert? Open the Unix Timestamp Converter — it works entirely in your browser with no sign-up required.