Skip to main content

Epoch Converter Convert epoch timestamps in seconds or milliseconds to human-readable dates with auto-detection.

Epoch Converter illustration
📅

Epoch Converter

Convert epoch timestamps in seconds or milliseconds to human-readable dates with auto-detection.

1

Enter Epoch

Paste or type an epoch timestamp value.

2

Use Auto-Detect

The tool auto-detects seconds vs milliseconds (or set manually).

3

View Results

See the date in local time, UTC, ISO 8601, and relative format.

Loading tool...

What Is Epoch Converter?

The Epoch Converter translates epoch timestamps — the number of seconds or milliseconds since the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970 UTC) — into human-readable date formats. It features auto-detection that distinguishes between seconds (10-digit), milliseconds (13-digit), and microseconds (16-digit) timestamps based on magnitude. A live display shows the current epoch time in both seconds and milliseconds, updating every second. Results include local time, UTC, ISO 8601, epoch in both units, and relative time. Quick buttons let you insert the current timestamp instantly. This is a specialized companion to the Unix Timestamp Converter, focused on the epoch-to-date direction with enhanced detection features.

Why Use Epoch Converter?

  • Smart auto-detection of timestamp unit (seconds, milliseconds, microseconds)
  • Live current epoch display updating every second
  • Multiple output formats with one-click copy
  • Quick "Use Current" buttons for instant testing
  • Handles timestamps from various systems and languages
  • Zero-dependency, client-side processing

Common Use Cases

Log File Analysis

Decode epoch timestamps from application logs and monitoring systems.

API Response Parsing

Convert epoch values in API responses to readable dates.

Database Troubleshooting

Interpret epoch timestamp columns in databases.

Security Analysis

Decode timestamps in tokens, certificates, and authentication records.

Data Migration

Verify epoch-to-date conversions during system migrations.

Technical Guide

Auto-detection uses magnitude thresholds: values above 10^15 are treated as microseconds (divided by 1000), values above 10^12 as milliseconds, and all others as seconds (multiplied by 1000). The JavaScript Date constructor accepts milliseconds, so all inputs are normalized to milliseconds before conversion. The live current epoch uses a useEffect with setInterval(1000ms) updating a state variable. Relative time is computed by comparing the epoch to Date.now() and expressing the difference in the most appropriate unit. The copy functionality uses the navigator.clipboard API with a fallback for older browsers.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Most programming languages use seconds (10 digits), but JavaScript/Java use milliseconds (13 digits)
  • 2
    The auto-detect feature eliminates the guesswork — but you can disable it for manual control
  • 3
    If the date looks wrong, try toggling auto-detect — the timestamp might be in an unexpected unit
  • 4
    Use the live display to verify your system clock is accurate
  • 5
    Negative epoch values represent dates before January 1, 1970

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is the difference between epoch and Unix timestamp?
They're the same concept — both refer to the number of seconds since January 1, 1970 UTC. "Epoch" is the more general term; "Unix timestamp" specifically references the Unix computing tradition.
Q How does auto-detection work?
The tool looks at the number of digits: 10 digits = seconds, 13 digits = milliseconds, 16+ digits = microseconds. This covers 99.9% of real-world timestamps.
Q Can I convert negative epoch values?
Yes, negative values represent dates before January 1, 1970. For example, -86400 represents December 31, 1969.
Q Why does the live display change every second?
The display shows the current epoch time, which increments by one second every second. It demonstrates that epoch time is simply a counter of elapsed seconds.
Q What systems use epoch timestamps?
Unix/Linux, most databases, APIs, JavaScript, Python, Java, logging systems, and many other platforms use epoch timestamps as their primary time representation.
Q What is the Y2038 problem?
Systems using 32-bit signed integers for Unix timestamps will overflow on January 19, 2038. Modern 64-bit systems avoid this issue. This tool uses JavaScript's 64-bit numbers and is unaffected.

About This Tool

Epoch Converter is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.