Which tool should I use?
The quickest way to the right one.
| If you want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Convert a Unix timestamp to a date | Unix Timestamp Converter |
| Work with epoch seconds | Epoch Converter |
| Parse or format ISO 8601 | ISO 8601 Converter |
| Turn milliseconds into time | Milliseconds to Time |
| Build a cron schedule | Cron Expression Generator |
Timestamps, epoch time, and ISO 8601
A Unix timestamp (also called epoch time) is the number of seconds since 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970 — a single number that represents a moment anywhere in the world, which is why systems store time that way. These converters turn that number into a readable date and back.
ISO 8601 is the international standard for writing dates and times as text (for example 2026-08-28T14:30:00Z), designed to sort correctly and avoid ambiguity. The standard itself is the reference these tools follow.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Unix timestamp?
It is the number of seconds since 1 January 1970, 00:00:00 UTC — a compact, timezone-independent way to represent a moment in time.
Is epoch time the same as Unix time?
Yes. “Epoch time” and “Unix time” refer to the same count of seconds since the 1970 epoch.
What is ISO 8601?
An international standard for representing dates and times as text, such as 2026-08-28T14:30:00Z, chosen because it is unambiguous and sorts chronologically.
Are the tools free?
Yes, every developer tool is free and runs entirely in your browser.
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Every tool here is built and reviewed by Fletcher Langley, with the method shown on each page and examples verified by hand — see our editorial policy.