Time & Dates

What Is Unix Time?

Unix time, also called epoch time or a Unix timestamp, is the number of seconds that have elapsed since 00:00:00 UTC on January 1, 1970, not counting leap seconds. Computer systems widely use it to store and compare moments in time independently of time zones.

Example

A timestamp of 86,400 represents January 2, 1970, 00:00 UTC, exactly one day after the epoch.

Milliseconds

Some systems, including JavaScript, use milliseconds since the epoch instead of seconds.

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📅 Date Calculator Find days between two dates, or add/subtract days from a date. Calculate → 🌍 Time Zone Converter Convert any date and time between world time zones, with daylight saving time handled automatically. Calculate →

🔗 Related Terms

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) ISO 8601 Date Format Time Zone

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Last updated: September 27, 2026. This definition is for general educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or medical advice, and it does not recommend any product or course of action. For decisions about your own situation, consult a qualified professional.