Timestamp conversion workflow
Convert a Unix timestamp to a readable date
Logs, APIs, and databases store time as Unix timestamps: seconds since January 1, 1970 UTC. The Unix timestamp converter turns them into readable dates and back, in any time zone, right in your browser.
The fast workflow
Follow the same short workflow every time so the result is predictable.
Paste the timestamp
Paste seconds or milliseconds from a log or API response.
Pick the time zone
Choose UTC or your local zone for the readable output.
Read the date
The converted date shows the exact moment the timestamp represents.
Convert the other way
Enter a date to get the timestamp for queries or scripts.
Why timestamps are universal
Unix timestamps are time-zone independent: the same number means the same instant everywhere. That makes them the standard exchange format for APIs, databases, and logs.
When inspecting API data, pair the converter with the API response inspector to see how timestamps appear across responses.
Common problems
- Treating milliseconds as seconds, which shifts the date by decades
- Assuming timestamps are in local time when they are UTC
- Hand-converting across time zones and making errors
Best practices
- Check the unit: seconds versus milliseconds
- Always confirm whether the source uses UTC
- Use the converter to sanity-check dates in logs before debugging
Frequently asked questions
What is the Unix epoch?
The Unix epoch is January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. Timestamps count seconds (or milliseconds) since that instant.
Why is my timestamp showing 1970?
The value is likely in milliseconds while the converter expected seconds, or the source value is truncated. Check the unit first.
Are timestamps time-zone dependent?
No. A timestamp represents the same instant everywhere; only its display in a local time zone changes.
Is my timestamp uploaded?
No. Conversion runs locally in your browser.
Your data stays local
Everything runs in your browser. Files and values are never uploaded or stored.
Open Unix Timestamp Converter