How to Convert Date to Epoch Timestamp Using JavaScript

Learn how to easily convert dates in `MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM AM/PM` format to epoch timestamps using JavaScript. Follow our guide for step-by-step instructions!
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Covert date to epoch timestamp using Javascript

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Convert Date to Epoch Timestamp Using JavaScript

Dealing with dates and times in programming can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you need to convert them into different formats. One common requirement is converting a date in the MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM AM/PM format into an epoch timestamp. In this guide, we’ll guide you through how to accomplish this using JavaScript.

Understanding Epoch Timestamp

An epoch timestamp is a way of representing time as a single number—the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC, not counting leap seconds. This means that when you convert a date to an epoch timestamp, you’re getting the total number of seconds between that date and the Unix epoch.

The Challenge

Let’s say you have a date formatted as follows:

Sample Date: 07/27/2022 10:36 AM

Your task is to convert this date into an equivalent epoch timestamp, which, for this example, would be 1658898360.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Create a Date Object

To convert the date, you first need to create a Date object. This can be done using the JavaScript Date constructor.

Here’s how to do it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Get the Epoch Timestamp

Once you have the Date object, you can retrieve the epoch timestamp by using the getTime() method. However, this method returns the timestamp in milliseconds. To convert it to seconds (the format you need), divide the result by 1000.

Here’s the code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Handle Timezones Properly

It's essential to ensure that your timestamps reflect the correct timezone. If you're operating in Indian Standard Time (IST), you might want to specify that in the Date constructor by appending GMT+5:30.

Here’s how to adjust for the timezone:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

By adding this specification, you can ensure accurate conversion regardless of the local timezone settings.

Conclusion

Transforming a date into an epoch timestamp in JavaScript is straightforward when you break it down into simple steps. By utilizing the Date object along with the getTime() method, and by being mindful of timezones, you can convert any date in the MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM AM/PM format effectively.

Summary

Use the Date constructor to create a date object.

Get the epoch timestamp by calling getTime() / 1000.

Consider appending the appropriate timezone to ensure accuracy.

Now that you understand this process, you can easily apply it to any date conversion tasks in your JavaScript projects.