How to Get Unix Timestamp in JavaScript

The Unix timestamp is the time in seconds between a stated period and the Unix Epoch. In JavaScript, the timestamp is specified in milliseconds. Want to get a Unix Timestamp? JavaScript predefined methods can rescue you!

This article will demonstrate the method for getting the Unix timestamp in JavaScript.

How to Get Unix Timestamp in JavaScript?

For getting Unix Timestamp, use the below-given JavaScript methods:

getTime() method
Date.now() method

Let’s discuss these methods one by one!

Method 1: Get Unix Timestamp Using getTime() Method

There are numerous functions available for working with dates and times in the JavaScript Date object. One of them is the “getTime()” method. It provides the milliseconds since January 1, 1970 (Unix Epoch). The getTime() method always represents time using the UTC format.

Syntax

Follow the below-provided syntax for getting Unix timestamp with the help of getTime() method:

Date.getTime();

The above-mentioned method does not take any argument.

Let’s check out an example for getting Unix Timestamp using the getTime() method.

Example

Firstly, we will create a variable “tDate” that stores the date as a string:

var tDate = '2022-09-22';

Then, create an instance of the Date object by passing the date string stored in “tDate”:

var date = new Date(tDate);

Call the getTime() method and divide it by “1000” to get the time in seconds because the Unix timestamp represents the number of seconds between a particular date and the Unix Epoch while the JavaScript getTime() method gives result in milliseconds:

var unixTimeStamp = Math.floor(date.getTime() / 1000);

Finally, print the timestamp using the “console.log()” method:

console.log(unixTimeStamp);

Output

Let’s move on to the next method!

Method 2: Get Unix Timestamp Using Date.now() Method

The “now()” method of the Date Object also helps to get the Unix timestamp. It offers the most recent millisecond UTC timestamp. It is the static method; that’s why it must be called with Date Object. It almost supports all browsers except IE8 and previous versions.

Syntax

Use the given syntax for now() method of the Date Object:

Date.now();

The “Date.now()” method takes no argument and gives the current time in milliseconds.

Example

Now, we will invoke the “Date.now()” method by dividing it by 1000 to get the Unix timestamp in seconds:

Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000);

It can be seen that the Unix timestamp is displayed in seconds:

We have provided the simplest methods for getting the Unix timestamp in JavaScript.

Conclusion

For getting a Unix timestamp, you can use the JavaScript predefined methods of the Date Object, including the getTime() method or Date.now() method. It is preferable to use Date.now() rather than getTime() because it does not create a new instance of the Date object. This article demonstrates the methods for getting Unix Timestamp in JavaScript.

How to Get Unix Timestamp in JavaScript