Convert a date to a Unix timestamp

A local clock reading does not identify an instant until a timezone is supplied. This guide shows how the converter applies the selected IANA timezone and handles daylight-saving transitions.

Unix Timestamp

Date & Time (UTC)
2000-01-01T00:00:00
Unix Timestamp
946684800 s / 946684800000 ms

How daylight-saving gaps and repeated times work

Spring-forward clock times that never occur are rejected; the converter does not silently shift them.

Fall-back clock times that occur twice require an explicit earlier or later choice. The default is earlier.

New York spring-forward gap

Date & Time
2026-03-08T02:30 · America/New_York
Unix Timestamp
Rejected: 02:30 does not exist on this date

New York fall-back repeated time

2026-11-01T01:30 · America/New_York

Earlier occurrence
1793511000 s / 1793511000000 ms
2026-11-01T05:30:00.000Z · UTC-04:00
Later occurrence
1793514600 s / 1793514600000 ms
2026-11-01T06:30:00.000Z · UTC-05:00

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Unix timestamp?
A Unix timestamp (also called epoch time) is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC. It's a standard way to represent time in computer systems and is commonly used in programming and databases.
How do I convert a date to a Unix timestamp?
Select or enter a date and time using the date picker, choose your timezone, and click 'Convert to Timestamp'. The tool will display the Unix timestamp (in seconds) for that date and time.
What timezone does the Unix timestamp use?
Unix timestamps are always in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). However, our converter allows you to view and input dates in any timezone. The conversion automatically handles timezone differences.