Unix Timestamps Explained

Everything you need to know about Unix timestamps, timezones, and date handling.

What is a Unix Timestamp?

A Unix timestamp is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC (the Unix epoch). It is widely used in programming and databases for storing point-in-time values.

Converting Timestamps

In JavaScript, use Date.now() to get the current timestamp in milliseconds (divide by 1000 for seconds). Use new Date(timestamp * 1000).toISOString() to convert a Unix timestamp to a human-readable date string.

Common Pitfalls

Always check whether the timestamp is in seconds or milliseconds. JavaScript uses milliseconds, while most APIs and databases use seconds. Be aware of timezone handling — Unix timestamps are always UTC.

Using DevStackIO Timestamp Converter

Our Timestamp Converter instantly converts Unix timestamps to human-readable dates and vice versa. It supports multiple timezones and formats, making it easy to debug and develop with timestamps.