The Unix timestamp is a fundamental concept in programming for handling time-sensitive data. While the standard 10-digit timestamp (seconds) is common, high-precision applications often require a 13-digit millisecond timestamp. Python provides robust, built-in tools for these tasks.
This guide will walk you through how to generate and convert 13-digit Unix timestamps in Python and how to use a reliable Unix timestamp converter for quick validation and conversion.
What Is a 13-Digit Unix Timestamp?
A 13-digit timestamp is simply a Unix timestamp in milliseconds. It represents the total number of milliseconds that have passed since the Unix epoch—January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC.
For example, the timestamp 1694870400000 corresponds to September 16, 2023, at 00:00:00 UTC. This level of precision is crucial for real-time systems, logging, and applications where sub-second accuracy matters.
Generating the Current 13-Digit Timestamp in Python
The most direct way to get the current 13-digit Unix timestamp in Python is by using the time module.
import time
# time.time() returns the current timestamp in seconds as a float
seconds_timestamp = time.time()
# Multiply by 1000 for milliseconds and convert to an integer
millisecond_timestamp = int(seconds_timestamp * 1000)
print(millisecond_timestamp)
# Example Output: 1723276231245
Explanation:
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time.time() returns the seconds since the epoch (e.g., 1723276231.245).
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Multiplying by 1000 converts the value to milliseconds.
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int() truncates the float to a clean 13-digit integer.
How to Convert Between Datetime and Unix Timestamp
Python's datetime module is essential for converting between human-readable dates and numeric timestamps.
Convert Datetime to Timestamp
To convert a datetime to a timestamp, create a datetime object and call its .timestamp() method.
from datetime import datetime
# Create a specific datetime object
dt_object = datetime(2023, 9, 16, 0, 0, 0)
# .timestamp() returns seconds, so multiply by 1000 for milliseconds
timestamp_ms = int(dt_object.timestamp() * 1000)
print(timestamp_ms)
# Output: 1694822400000
Note on Timezones: When you create a datetime object without timezone info (a "naive" object), Python assumes it's in your system's local timezone. For accurate conversions across systems, it's best practice to use timezone-aware datetime objects.
Convert Timestamp to Datetime
To convert a timestamp to a datetime object, use the datetime.fromtimestamp() method. Remember to divide the 13-digit millisecond timestamp by 1000 to get the seconds value that the function expects.
from datetime import datetime
timestamp_ms = 1694822400000
# Divide by 1000 to convert milliseconds back to seconds
dt_object = datetime.fromtimestamp(timestamp_ms / 1000)
print(dt_object)
# Output: 2023-09-16 00:00:00
Validating with a Unix Timestamp Converter
While coding, it's often necessary to quickly check a timestamp's value without running a script. A dedicated online Unix timestamp converter is the perfect tool for this.
The DevUtils Unix Timestamp Converter is a free tool recommended for developers that allows you to:
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Instantly paste a 10 or 13-digit Unix timestamp to see its human-readable date.
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Quickly convert any date to a timestamp without writing code.
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Generate timestamps in other formats, such as for Discord.
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Work securely, as all processing is done in your browser (client-side).
Python offers excellent native support for handling any Unix timestamp. By mastering the time and datetime modules and using a fast Unix timestamp converter like DevUtils for validation, you can streamline your development workflow and manage time-based data with confidence.
