JSON & Protobuf Timestamp Converter
Serialization frameworks timestamp differently: JSON embeds ISO 8601 strings (`"2026-08-13T14:30:00Z"`), Protobuf `google.protobuf.Timestamp` is a struct of `{seconds, nanos}` since epoch, BSON stores an Int64 ms timestamp, and XML Schema `dateTime` requires offset forms (`+00:00`).
This converter renders your date-time in each serialization shape — JSON literal, Protobuf seconds/nanos pair, BSON value and XML Schema form — so you can produce or validate wire payloads.
JSON & Protobuf Timestamp Converter Quick Reference
| Format | Pattern / Description | Example 1 | Example 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JSON | "2026-08-13T14:30:00.000Z" | "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z" | |
| Protobuf Timestamp | JSON representation | {"seconds":1786631400,"nanos":0} | {"seconds":1767225600,"nanos":0} |
| BSON String | MongoDB JSON | 2026-08-13T14:30:00.000Z | 2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z |
| BSON Value | Strict Mode | 1786631400000 | 1767225600000 |
| XML Schema / SOAP | ISO 8601 with Offset | 2026-08-13T14:30:00.000Z | 2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z |
* Examples are rendered in UTC for the fixed sample instants above.
When to Use JSON & Protobuf Timestamp
Protobuf wire format testing
Build `google.protobuf.Timestamp` messages by computing the seconds/nanos fields from a known instant.
BSON/MongoDB debugging
MongoDB stores dates as BSON Int64 ms. Verify the serial value when comparing stored dates with application timestamps.
XML/SOAP dateTime validation
XML Schema `dateTime` requires a timezone offset. Generate the `+00:00` form for SOAP and XML payloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JSON date format?
No native date type exists in JSON — dates are ISO 8601 strings (`"2026-08-13T14:30:00Z"`), with RFC 3339 the de-facto standard.
What is a Protobuf Timestamp?
`google.protobuf.Timestamp` is `{seconds: int64, nanos: int32}` since epoch. Seconds can be negative for pre-1970 dates; nanos is 0–999,999,999.
What is the BSON date format?
BSON date is an Int64 count of milliseconds since the Unix epoch, stored as the `Date` type — the native date representation in MongoDB.
What is the XML Schema dateTime format?
`YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss±HH:MM` with a mandatory timezone offset — e.g. `2026-08-13T14:30:00+00:00`. The `Z` form is also valid.
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