Why this tool exists
The Timestamp Converter keeps raw Unix seconds and friendly datetimes synchronized so incident updates, migration scripts, and audit notes always reference the same instant.
Incident timelines
Translate log timestamps into readable ISO strings for updates, emails, and postmortems.
Data migrations
Normalize CSV or SQL inputs when collaborating across regions so loaders stay in sync.
Audit-ready exports
Share UTC and local copies of the same instant to keep compliance notes aligned.
Quick start
Keep both forms in view, set your timezone once, and flip directions without retyping.
- Open the Timestamp Converter tool and decide whether you are starting from a Unix timestamp or a datetime.
- Use the preset buttons (local or UTC) to align both forms to the same offset before converting.
- Submit the form to refresh both modes at once—every successful conversion keeps the fields in sync, so you can flip directions instantly.
Supported inputs
- Accepts Unix timestamps in seconds (trim or divide millisecond values).
- Handles negative timestamps for pre-1970 dates and large future values (64-bit range).
- Datetime form expects `YYYY-MM-DD` plus `HH:MM` or `HH:MM:SS` with any GMT offset.
Mode 01
Timestamp → Datetime walkthrough
- Paste any Unix timestamp (seconds) into the timestamp field. Use “Use current timestamp” to auto-fill the current moment from your device.
- Pick a default timezone. Presets cover your local offset and UTC, while the dropdown lists every GMT offset available (winter and summer reference points included).
- Select “Convert timestamp to datetime” to render ISO strings, UTC RFC output, Unix seconds, relative time, timezone highlights, and code snippets.
- Use the copy buttons beside each card to capture values for chat updates, dashboards, or scripts.
Mode 02
Datetime → Timestamp walkthrough
- Enter a date in YYYY-MM-DD and a time in HH:MM or HH:MM:SS (seconds default to :00). “Use current datetime” mirrors your current local time.
- Choose the timezone that represents the source data. The preset buttons automatically apply to both the datetime and timestamp forms.
- Click “Convert datetime to timestamp” to generate Unix seconds plus ISO strings in the selected timezone and UTC.
- The timestamp form updates automatically, so you can immediately reuse the Timestamp → Datetime widgets without retyping.
Timezone controls
Presets keep both forms aligned while the dropdown exposes every GMT offset and highlight cards show the same instant across major hubs.
- Preset buttons instantly sync both forms to Local or UTC offsets, making it simple to hop between contexts.
- The dropdown includes every GMT offset (using both winter and summer reference dates) so daylight-saving changes are reflected.
- Highlight cards show the converted instant in UTC, New York, San Francisco, London, Mumbai, Singapore, and Tokyo for stakeholder-friendly copy.
Outputs & snippets
Each conversion instantly prepares formatted cards plus copy-ready code blocks so you can paste into dashboards, CLIs, and automations.
ISO 8601 in your chosen timezone plus a UTC-only copy for APIs.
RFC-style UTC string that mirrors what many logging systems emit.
Unix seconds with a relative “diff for humans” description for quick reads.
Snippet lineup
MySQL
Use FROM_UNIXTIME to preview the timestamp in SQL clients.
PostgreSQL
Cast with TO_TIMESTAMP and normalize to UTC for migrations.
PHP
Use Carbon helpers directly within PHP scripts and console tooling.
JavaScript
Create ISO strings in browsers or Node with new Date().
Python
Build aware datetime objects with timezone.utc for scripts.
Bash
Verify values over SSH with date -u -d.
Field notes
A few habits that keep timestamp investigations fast and repeatable.
- Keep both modes open—submitting one form refreshes the other, so you can pivot between seconds and datetimes without re-entering data.
- Use presets before copying snippets to ensure everything lines up with the timezone your team expects.
- Copy multiple snippet languages in a row; the converter leaves the previous output intact so batching is fast.
- Pair the relative time description with ISO strings when sharing updates, giving humans and machines useful context.