Purpose and scope
What this technical calculator produces
Apply an entered TAI−UTC offset to a UTC timestamp.
The Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter generates a readable value from UTC timestamp and TAI−UTC seconds; Retain TAI−UTC seconds beside the copied output.
Instructions
How to use this calculator
Enter UTC timestamp and TAI−UTC seconds from the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter working data, then check TAI−UTC seconds with the required technical convention.
- Enter UTC timestamp and TAI−UTC seconds exactly as supplied by the working data.
- Generate the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter conversion and check TAI−UTC seconds with the copyable output.
- Check the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter reference with the TAI−UTC seconds definition or convention.
Calculation
Method used
The entered whole-second offset is added to UTC to produce the corresponding TAI label.
The Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter relates UTC timestamp and TAI−UTC seconds to the converted value; retain the TAI−UTC seconds precision or unit convention.
Calculation method last reviewed: June 21, 2026.
Verification
References
Reference and calculation method reviewed: June 21, 2026.
Worked scenario
Example calculation
Check the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter worked value with TAI−UTC seconds, then review its precision and format.
Interpretation
Validating the generated output
The arithmetic is only as accurate as the supplied offset for the historical or future date.
Review the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter output against TAI−UTC seconds before sending its unit, epoch, or syntax elsewhere.
Pair this Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter result with the GPS Week and Time-of-Week Converter when you also need to convert UTC time into GPS week and seconds-of-week using an entered offset.
Boundaries
Important edge cases and limitations
Historical and future offsets must be supplied from a published leap-second table.
Revise the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter convention when TAI−UTC seconds uses another epoch, precision, or syntax rule.
Input audit
Checklist for this calculation
- Review the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter unit or epoch in UTC timestamp and TAI−UTC seconds.
- Check TAI−UTC seconds with the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter copyable output.
- Check the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter reference with the TAI−UTC seconds date and use case.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Why is the TAI−UTC offset not constant?
UTC inserts leap seconds while TAI is a continuous atomic time scale.
When should IERS: Bulletin C leap-second announcements be checked for the
Check IERS: Bulletin C leap-second announcements with TAI−UTC seconds whenever the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter cutoff affects a decision. Retain its version or access date beside UTC timestamp.
What context should accompany UTC timestamp in the
UTC timestamp identifies the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter source value, while TAI−UTC seconds specifies part of its output convention. Confirm both before copying the converted value.
Does TAI−UTC seconds alter every part of the leap-second and tai-utc converter result?
Run the Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter twice with the same UTC timestamp and a different TAI−UTC seconds. Compare both Leap-Second and TAI-UTC Converter output forms before adopting the new TAI−UTC seconds convention.