What is a timestamp?
A timestamp is a stored representation of a date and time. Developers use timestamps in databases, logs, APIs, analytics, payments, authentication systems, and scheduled jobs.
Unix time explained
Unix time counts seconds since January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00 UTC. Some systems use milliseconds instead of seconds, which is why timestamp length matters when debugging dates.
How to convert a timestamp online
- Open the Timestamp Converter.
- Paste the Unix timestamp or readable date.
- Convert between timestamp and human-readable time.
- Check UTC and local time where relevant.
Debugging logs
When logs show numeric timestamps, convert a few entries to confirm event order. If results look far in the future, you may be using milliseconds where the tool expects seconds.
Time zone notes
Time zones can make dates look different for users in different countries. Use Time Zone Converter when scheduling meetings, releases, emails, or global events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to the most common questions about this format and conversion process:
Unix timestamp is the number of seconds since January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00 UTC.
It may be in milliseconds instead of seconds.
Yes. Use Timestamp Converter to turn Unix time into readable dates.
The timestamp is usually based on UTC, but displayed local time can vary by time zone.