Convert Time
Convert time measurements between different units quickly and accurately
Time Conversion Calculator
Popular Time Conversions
Quickly convert between the most commonly used time units.
Understanding Time Measurements
Time conversions are fundamental in science, technology, and daily life. Understanding different time units and their relationships is essential for scheduling, scientific calculations, and international coordination.
Common Time Units
Basic Units
- Seconds (s) - SI base unit
- Minutes (min) - 60 seconds
- Hours (hr) - 60 minutes
- Days (d) - 24 hours
Precise Units
- Milliseconds (ms) - 1/1,000 second
- Microseconds (μs) - 1/1,000,000 second
- Nanoseconds (ns) - 1/1,000,000,000 second
Common Applications
| Field | Typical Units | Precision Level |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Life | seconds, minutes, hours | Second precision |
| Computing | nanoseconds, microseconds | Nanosecond precision |
| Scientific | seconds, years | Variable precision |
| Sports | milliseconds, seconds | Millisecond precision |
| Astronomy | years, centuries | Day precision |
Conversion Tips
- 1 minute = 60 seconds exactly
- 1 hour = 3,600 seconds exactly
- 1 day = 86,400 seconds exactly
- 1 year ≈ 31.56 million seconds (accounting for leap years)
Time Conversions
| Conversion | Formula | Quick Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes to Seconds | minutes × 60 | Multiply by 60 |
| Hours to Minutes | hours × 60 | Multiply by 60 |
| Days to Hours | days × 24 | Multiply by 24 |
| Weeks to Days | weeks × 7 | Multiply by 7 |
| Years to Days | years × 365.2425 | Multiply by 365.2425 |
| Seconds to Milliseconds | seconds × 1,000 | Multiply by 1,000 |
| Milliseconds to Microseconds | ms × 1,000 | Multiply by 1,000 |
| Microseconds to Nanoseconds | μs × 1,000 | Multiply by 1,000 |
| Months to Days | months × 30.44 | Multiply by 30.44 |
| Decades to Years | decades × 10 | Multiply by 10 |
Our time conversion tool provides accurate conversions between all time units, from nanoseconds to centuries. Whether you're working with computer timestamps, scientific data, or everyday scheduling, our converter ensures precise time calculations for any application.
Time Conversion Questions
Everything you need to know about time measurements and conversions
What is the difference between atomic time and solar time?
Atomic time is based on the vibrations of cesium atoms and provides the most accurate timekeeping. Solar time is based on Earth's rotation relative to the Sun and varies slightly. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) combines both, using atomic precision with occasional leap seconds to stay synchronized with Earth's rotation.
How do leap years affect time calculations?
Leap years occur every 4 years (with exceptions for century years not divisible by 400) to account for Earth's 365.2425-day orbital period. This adds an extra day (February 29) every leap year. For precise yearly calculations, use 365.2425 days per year rather than 365 days.
What is Unix time and how do I convert it?
Unix time counts seconds since January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC (the 'epoch'). To convert Unix timestamp to human time, add the seconds to the epoch date. For example, Unix time 1609459200 equals January 1, 2021, 00:00:00 UTC. Most programming languages have built-in functions for this conversion.
How precise can time measurements be?
Modern atomic clocks can measure time to within a few nanoseconds per day. Computer systems typically measure in nanoseconds or microseconds. For everyday use, millisecond precision is usually sufficient. GPS systems require nanosecond precision due to relativistic effects.
Why do some months have different numbers of days?
The current calendar system (Gregorian) evolved from Roman calendars. Originally, the year had 10 months starting in March. January and February were added later. Various political and practical decisions led to the irregular month lengths we use today, with months ranging from 28-31 days.
What are time zones and how do they affect conversions?
Time zones divide Earth into 24 regions, each roughly 15 degrees of longitude wide. When converting between times in different zones, you must account for the offset from UTC. For example, EST is UTC-5, so 12:00 UTC equals 7:00 AM EST. Daylight saving time adds additional complexity.
How do I convert between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats?
For 12-hour to 24-hour: Add 12 to PM hours except 12 PM (stays 12). For AM hours, keep the same except 12 AM becomes 00. For 24-hour to 12-hour: Hours 00-11 are AM (00 becomes 12), hours 12-23 are PM (subtract 12 except for 12).
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