How to Convert a Unix Timestamp to a Date
Unix timestamps are how computers store time — a single number of seconds since 1970. Converting to a readable date (and back) is a constant need in development and log-reading. Here's the quick way.
Last updated: July 2026
A Unix timestamp counts the seconds since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970 (the 'epoch'). To convert one to a date, paste it into a timestamp converter — it turns, say, 1700000000 into its UTC and local date-time, and converts a date back to a timestamp. It all runs in your browser.
Convert Unix epoch timestamps to human-readable dates and back, in local time and UTC. Free, instant, in-browser.
Step by step
- Open the free Unix Timestamp Converter.
- Paste a timestamp (seconds or milliseconds).
- Read the UTC and local date and time.
- Or enter a date to get its timestamp.
Seconds or milliseconds?
Unix time is classically in seconds (10 digits for current dates), but JavaScript and many APIs use milliseconds (13 digits). If a converted date looks wildly wrong, you probably have the wrong unit — drop or add three digits.
Why 1970?
The 1 January 1970 epoch was chosen by early Unix developers as a convenient recent reference. Counting from a fixed point makes date arithmetic simple — subtract two timestamps to get the seconds between them.
FAQ
What time zone is the timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is always UTC — it has no time zone. The converter shows both UTC and your local time for convenience.
Is anything uploaded?
No — conversion is instant and local to your browser.
Related tools
Date Calculator (Add / Subtract Days)
Add or subtract days, weeks, months or years from a date to find the resulting date. Free, instant date calculator.
Date Difference Calculator
Calculate the exact difference between two dates in years, months, days and total days, weeks and hours. Free and instant.
Time Duration Calculator
Calculate the duration between two times in hours and minutes. Free, instant, in-browser time difference calculator.