NTP Timestamp Converter [2025]
Convert Network Time Protocol timestamps to human-readable formats. Essential for network synchronization and protocol analysis.
Understanding NTP Timestamps
Timestamp Structure
32 bits: seconds since 1-Jan-1900
32 bits: fractional second
Total: 64 bits representing time with ~200ps precision
Era: 136 years per timestamp overflow
Time Range
- •
Era 0
1900-2036 (first era)
- •
Era 1
2036-2172
- •
Precision
~200 picoseconds
Technical Details
Fixed-Point Format
The NTP timestamp is a 64-bit fixed-point number:
Bits 0-31: Seconds Bits 32-63: Fractional second Resolution: 2^-32 seconds
Each increment of the fractional part represents about 232 picoseconds.
Epoch Differences
- •
NTP Epoch
1 January 1900, 00:00:00 UTC
- •
Unix Epoch
1 January 1970, 00:00:00 UTC
- •
Offset
2,208,988,800 seconds
Common Use Cases
Network Analysis
Packet Inspection
Extract and analyze NTP timestamps from network packets to understand synchronization behavior and timing issues.
Time Synchronization
Clock Discipline
Calculate offsets and delays for precise time synchronization across networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in 2036?
The first NTP era ends in 2036, when the seconds field overflows. NTP continues working through era numbers, maintaining continuous timekeeping across this boundary.
Why use fixed-point format?
Fixed-point arithmetic provides consistent precision and avoids floating-point rounding errors, which is crucial for accurate time synchronization.
How accurate is NTP time?
NTP timestamps provide theoretical precision to 232 picoseconds, though practical network accuracy is typically in the millisecond to microsecond range.
What's the difference between NTP and Unix time?
NTP uses a fixed-point format starting from 1900, while Unix time uses integer seconds since 1970. NTP provides higher precision and a longer time range.
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