What is a Unix Timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds elapsed since the Unix epoch — midnight UTC on 1 January 1970. It is the universal way computers store and exchange time.
Definition
Unix timestamps are timezone-independent integers. The timestamp 1700000000 represents the same instant everywhere in the world: 14 November 2023 at 22:13:20 UTC. Convert to local time by adding the UTC offset for your timezone.
Why Use Timestamps?
- Unambiguous — no timezone, no daylight saving ambiguity
- Simple arithmetic — subtract two timestamps to get elapsed seconds
- Universal — supported by every programming language and database
- Compact — a single integer rather than a formatted string
Millisecond Timestamps
JavaScript and many APIs use milliseconds since epoch (multiply seconds by 1000). A 13-digit number like 1700000000000 is a millisecond timestamp; a 10-digit number is seconds.
The Year 2038 Problem
32-bit signed integers overflow on 19 January 2038 at 03:14:07 UTC. Modern systems use 64-bit integers, which won't overflow for billions of years.
Convert Unix timestamps to human-readable dates instantly: Open Unix Timestamp Converter →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Unix epoch?
The Unix epoch is 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970 — the reference point from which all Unix timestamps are counted.
How do I get the current Unix timestamp?
In JavaScript: Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000). In Python: import time; time.time(). In Bash: date +%s.