About the Handiwork Timestamp Converter
The Timestamp Converter translates Unix (epoch) timestamps into human-readable dates and back again. View results in ISO 8601, UTC, and your local time zone, and grab the current Unix timestamp with one click — essential for debugging logs, APIs, and databases.
How to use the Handiwork Timestamp Converter
- Enter a Unix timestamp, or pick a date and time.
- Read the converted value in ISO, UTC, and local formats.
- Copy the timestamp or formatted date you need.
What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds (or milliseconds) that have elapsed since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970, known as the Unix epoch. Because it is a single number with no time-zone ambiguity, it is the most common way to store and exchange points in time in software.
Seconds vs. milliseconds
Many systems store timestamps in seconds, while JavaScript and some APIs use milliseconds — a factor of 1000 difference. If a converted date looks wildly off (for example, far in the future), you are probably mixing the two units.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Unix epoch?
The Unix epoch is the reference point for Unix time: midnight UTC on 1 January 1970. Timestamps count the time elapsed since that moment.
Does the converter handle time zones?
Yes. It shows the same instant in UTC and in your local time zone so you can compare them at a glance.