Epoch Converter (Unix Timestamp)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Epoch (Unix) Timestamp?

An Epoch Timestamp, also known as Unix time, POSIX time, or epoch time, is a system for tracking time as a single number. It is defined as the total number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 00:00:00 UTC. This simple, unambiguous number makes it the universal standard for logging events in databases, programming languages, and operating systems.

Why is Epoch Time Used by Developers?

For developers, Epoch time is superior to traditional date formats for several key reasons:

• Simplicity: It's a single integer that is easy to store, sort, and process in a database.
• Universality: It avoids all issues with time zones, Daylight Saving Time (DST), and international date formatting (like MM/DD/YYYY vs DD/MM/YYYY).
• Calculation: Calculating the duration between two points in time is simply a matter of subtraction.

How do I convert epoch to date?

You can use an online epoch converter like this tool. Enter the Unix timestamp and click convert to get the exact human-readable date and time.

Why does epoch time start from 1970?

Unix systems chose January 1, 1970 (UTC) as the standard reference point, known as the Unix Epoch. This keeps time calculations simple and consistent across platforms.

How are Dates Before 1970 Represented?

Dates before January 1, 1970 00:00:00 UTC (the Unix Epoch) are represented using a negative Unix timestamp. Instead of counting seconds *forward* from 1970, the negative value counts the seconds *backward* from that reference point.

For example, January 1, 1969 00:00:00 UTC would be represented as -31,536,000 (the number of seconds in that year). Most modern programming languages and operating systems fully support these negative timestamps, allowing developers to accurately calculate and manage historical dates. You can test this in the converter by entering a negative number!

What is the difference between seconds and milliseconds in epoch?

Epoch in seconds has 10 digits (e.g., 1706423000). Epoch in milliseconds has 13 digits (e.g., 1706423000000). Milliseconds are simply seconds multiplied by 1000.

How do I convert date to epoch?

Select a date and time in the date picker and click convert. The tool instantly generates the corresponding Unix timestamp in seconds and milliseconds.

What is the Y2K38 Problem?

The Y2K38 problem (or Year 2038 problem) is a time formatting bug that affects systems that store the Unix timestamp as a signed 32-bit integer. A signed 32-bit integer can only hold a maximum value of 2,147,483,647. Since Epoch time is counted in seconds from 1970, this maximum value will be reached on January 19, 2038, at 03:14:07 UTC.

When this limit is exceeded, older systems will "roll over" and interpret the timestamp as a large negative number, causing critical date-based calculations (like loan or expiration dates) to fail or jump back to 1901. Most modern 64-bit systems are immune, as they can represent time far beyond the age of the universe.