How to convert Datetime to Unix timestamp in AutoHotkey

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    ; Random date (for example, 2022-05-15 08:10:45)
    RandomDate := "20220515083045"
    
    ; Set the epoch date to "1970-01-01 00:00:00"
    Epoch := "19700101000000"
    
    ; Calculate the difference in seconds between the random date and the epoch
    EnvSub, RandomDate, %Epoch%, Seconds
    
    ; Convert the difference into a Unix timestamp (which is in seconds)
    UnixTimestamp := RandomDate
    
    ; Display only the Unix Timestamp in the message box
    MsgBox, Unix Timestamp: %UnixTimestamp%

Output:

Unix Timestamp: 1652602245

Example only. There may be multiple ways to perform this operation.

Code Explanation

To convert a specific date to a Unix timestamp in AutoHotkey, you can calculate the difference between the given date and the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970).
AutoHotkey's EnvSub function allows you to subtract the epoch from the target date, yielding the number of seconds that have passed since the Unix epoch, which is effectively the Unix timestamp.
In the example script, the date '2022-05-15 08:10:45' is converted to its Unix timestamp by finding the difference between this date and 1970-01-01 00:00:00 in seconds. This difference is stored as the Unix timestamp.

Convert Unix timestamp to Date in AutoHotkey

Other useful AutoHotkey date functions

Function/Command	Description	Example
`A_Now`	Returns the current date and time in the format `YYYYMMDDHH24MISS`.	`MsgBox % A_Now` returns 20240828123456
`A_NowUTC`	Returns the current date and time in UTC in the format `YYYYMMDDHH24MISS`.	`MsgBox % A_NowUTC` returns 20240828123456
`FormatTime`	Formats a timestamp into a human-readable date and time string.	`FormatTime, OutputVar, %A_Now%, yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss` returns 2024-08-28 12:34:56
`EnvAdd`	Adds a specified amount of time to a timestamp (e.g., days, hours, minutes).	`EnvAdd, A_Now, 5, Days` adds 5 days to the current date.
`EnvSub`	Subtracts a specified amount of time from a timestamp (e.g., days, hours, minutes).	`EnvSub, A_Now, 2, Hours` subtracts 2 hours from the current date.
`FileSetTime`	Sets the modification time of a file to a specific date and time.	`FileSetTime, %A_Now%, "example.txt"` sets the file's modification time to the current time.
`FileGetTime`	Retrieves the modification time of a file.	`FileGetTime, OutputVar, "example.txt"` stores the file's timestamp in `OutputVar`.
`A_TickCount`	Returns the number of milliseconds since the system was booted.	`MsgBox % A_TickCount` returns 123456789
`SetTimer`	Creates a timer that performs an action after a specified interval.	`SetTimer, MyTimerLabel, 1000` runs a label every 1 second.
`Sleep`	Pauses the script for a specified number of milliseconds.	`Sleep, 5000` pauses for 5 seconds.

Current Unix Timestamp SECONDS SINCE JAN 01 1970

Current UTC Time

2025-08-20