What is epoch time and why is it used?

Epoch time (Unix time) is the number of seconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. It's used because: • Universal standard: Same timestamp regardless of timezone • Simple arithmetic: Easy to calculate time differences • Storage efficiency: Single number instead of date components • Programming convenience: Most systems and databases use it • No ambiguity: Avoids timezone and daylight saving issues

How do I convert epoch time to a readable date?

To convert epoch time to a readable date: 1. Enter the epoch timestamp in the first input field (e.g., 1640995200) 2. Click 'Convert to Date-Time' 3. View the result showing the date in YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss format 4. Check the timezone to understand the local time context The converter automatically handles the timezone conversion to show you the local time equivalent.

How do I convert a date to epoch time?

To convert a readable date to epoch time: 1. Enter the date-time in YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss format (e.g., 2022-01-01 00:00:00) 2. Click 'Convert to Epoch' 3. View the epoch timestamp in seconds 4. Copy the result for use in your applications The converter treats your input as local time and converts it to the corresponding UTC epoch timestamp.

What date format should I use for input?

Use the YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss format for best results: • Year: 4 digits (e.g., 2023) • Month: 2 digits (01-12) • Day: 2 digits (01-31) • Hour: 2 digits, 24-hour format (00-23) • Minute: 2 digits (00-59) • Second: 2 digits (00-59) Example: 2023-12-25 15:30:45 for December 25, 2023 at 3:30:45 PM

Does the converter handle timezones correctly?

Yes, the converter handles timezones properly: • Epoch timestamps are always in UTC (universal time) • Date-time inputs are treated as your local timezone • Date-time outputs are displayed in your local timezone • Timezone information is shown in results for clarity This means when you enter a date-time, it's converted assuming your local timezone, and when you convert from epoch, the result shows your local time equivalent.

Epoch Time Converter: Unix Timestamp to Date

Convert Unix/Epoch timestamps to human-readable dates and vice versa. Perfect for developers and system administrators.

Read our in-depth guide

Use millisecondsTimezone:

Epoch Timestamp (seconds)

Seconds since January 1, 1970 UTC

Date-Time (YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss)

Local timezone format

About Epoch Time

Epoch time (also known as Unix time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. It's widely used in computing systems for timestamp storage and calculations.

Key Points:

Epoch time is always in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
The converter shows results in your local timezone
Negative values represent dates before January 1, 1970
Maximum date depends on your system (typically year 2038 or 2106)

Common Use Cases:

Database timestamp storage
API response timestamps
Log file analysis
System administration tasks
Programming and debugging

How to Use the Epoch Time Converter

Convert Epoch to Date-Time

Enter an epoch timestamp (seconds since January 1, 1970) in the first input field and click 'Convert to Date-Time' to see the human-readable date and time.

Convert Date-Time to Epoch

Enter a date-time in YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss format in the second input field and click 'Convert to Epoch' to get the corresponding epoch timestamp.

Use Current Time

Click 'Use Current Time' to automatically fill both fields with the current date-time and its epoch equivalent for quick reference.

View Results

The conversion results show both formats, your timezone, and a summary of the conversion performed for easy verification.

Reset Calculator

Use the 'Reset' button to clear all inputs and results to start a fresh conversion.

Understanding Your Results

Epoch Timestamp

The number of seconds that have elapsed since the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC). This is always in UTC time regardless of your local timezone.

Date-Time Display

The human-readable date and time shown in your local timezone. The format is YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss for consistency and clarity.

Timezone Information

Your detected local timezone is displayed to help you understand the context of the date-time conversion. All conversions account for your timezone offset.

Conversion Direction

The results clearly show which direction the conversion was performed (epoch to date or date to epoch) to avoid confusion when working with multiple conversions.

Epoch Time Converter - Frequently Asked Questions

Epoch time made simple

Convert between Unix epoch timestamps and readable dates. Pick seconds or milliseconds and view results in your local timezone or UTC.

Time made simple

Epoch Time Converter: Unix Timestamp ⇄ Human Date with Timezone Context

Convert Unix epoch timestamps to readable local dates and back. Shows timezone, supports negative timestamps, and includes quick "now" fill for developers and analysts.

Two-way conversion

Epoch seconds to date-time and date-time to epoch.

Timezone aware

Displays your detected timezone for clarity.

Developer-friendly

Instant "Use current time" and clear error messages.

Time conversion topics

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Important: This epoch time converter is designed for development, debugging, and educational purposes to convert between Unix timestamps and human-readable date formats. While calculations are mathematically accurate for standard epoch time conversions, timezone handling, daylight saving time transitions, leap seconds, and calendar system variations can introduce complexities not fully addressed by this tool. For production systems, critical applications, financial transactions, or legal documentation involving precise timestamps, always verify conversions using your system's native date/time libraries and consult timezone databases. The converter assumes standard UTC epoch (January 1, 1970) and may not account for specialized epoch systems or historical calendar adjustments.

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