Article

What is a Discord Snowflake ID and how do I decode it?

Published: March 10, 2025Updated: April 12, 2025
An in-depth explanation of Discord Snowflake IDs, their internal structure, and how to extract creation dates and other metadata from them.

Discord Snowflake IDs Explained

Discord Snowflake IDs are unique identifiers used throughout Discord's system to reference various objects like messages, channels, servers (guilds), users, roles, and more. What makes Snowflakes particularly useful is that they contain encoded timestamp information about when the object was created.

When you see a long number like 1024576954596634654 in Discord, that's a Snowflake ID. These IDs aren't just random numbers - they're carefully structured pieces of data that contain valuable information when decoded.

The Structure of a Discord Snowflake

A Discord Snowflake is a 64-bit integer with a specific internal structure:

  • First 42 bits (Timestamp): Milliseconds since Discord Epoch (January 1, 2015)
  • Next 5 bits (Worker ID): Identifier for the worker that generated the Snowflake
  • Next 5 bits (Process ID): Identifier for the process that generated the Snowflake
  • Last 12 bits (Increment): A number that increments for each ID generated in the same millisecond

This clever structure allows Discord to generate millions of unique IDs across their distributed systems without collisions, while also embedding creation time information directly in the ID itself.

Why Snowflake IDs Matter

Understanding Snowflake IDs can be useful for several reasons:

  • Determining Age: You can find out when a user joined Discord, when a message was sent, or when a server was created
  • Message Reference: Moderators can reference specific messages by ID for record-keeping
  • Debugging: Server administrators can troubleshoot issues using creation timestamps
  • Data Analysis: Researchers can analyze patterns in community growth and activity

How to Find Discord Snowflake IDs

You can access Snowflake IDs in Discord through several methods:

For Messages

  1. Enable Developer Mode in Discord settings (User Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode)
  2. Right-click on a message and select "Copy ID"

For Users, Channels, or Servers

  1. With Developer Mode enabled, right-click on a user, channel, or server
  2. Select "Copy ID" from the context menu

Decoding Discord Snowflake IDs

Once you have a Snowflake ID, you can decode it to extract its creation timestamp and other metadata using our Discord Snowflake Decoder. Here's what happens during the decoding process:

  1. The Snowflake is converted to binary representation
  2. The first 42 bits are extracted and converted to a timestamp
  3. Discord Epoch (1420070400000) is added to get the creation time
  4. The remaining bits are parsed to extract worker ID, process ID, and increment

Practical Applications of Snowflake Decoding

Here are some practical ways to use decoded Snowflake information:

Verify User Age

Server administrators can verify how long a user has been on Discord by decoding their user ID, which can be useful for identifying potential alternative accounts.

Message Timestamps

When a message's visible timestamp has been edited or is unclear, decoding its Snowflake ID reveals the exact creation time.

Server History

Community historians can determine exactly when channels or servers were created, even if they weren't present at the time.

Content Organization

Content creators can organize archived messages or important announcements chronologically based on their decoded timestamps.

Technical Deep Dive: The Discord Epoch

The Discord Epoch is January 1, 2015, at 00:00:00 UTC (Unix timestamp: 1420070400000). All Snowflake timestamps are measured as milliseconds since this reference point, which allows Discord to use fewer bits to represent timestamps while still providing accuracy.

This design choice means that Discord Snowflakes will function properly until approximately the year 2084, when the 42-bit timestamp will overflow.

Converting Snowflakes to Discord Timestamps

After decoding a Snowflake to get its Unix timestamp, you can convert it to a Discord timestamp format for use in messages:

  1. Decode the Snowflake ID to get the Unix timestamp (in milliseconds)
  2. Divide by 1000 to convert to seconds (Discord timestamps use seconds)
  3. Format as a Discord timestamp: <t:UNIX_TIMESTAMP:F>

Our Snowflake Decoder tool does this conversion automatically, generating ready-to-use Discord timestamp codes.

Ready to decode Discord Snowflake IDs and reveal their hidden timestamps? Try our Discord Snowflake Decoder now to extract creation dates and internal metadata from any Discord ID.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are Discord timestamps?

Discord timestamps are special markup codes that display date and time information converted to each viewer's local timezone automatically. They're perfect for scheduling events, reminders, and meeting times in international Discord servers.

How do I use Discord timestamps in my messages?

Simply copy any of the generated timestamp codes from our tools and paste them directly into your Discord message. The code will automatically convert to a formatted time when sent, displaying correctly for every user regardless of their location.

What's the difference between Discord timestamp formats?

Discord offers several timestamp formats: t (short time), T (long time), d (short date), D (long date), f (short date/time), F (long date/time), and R (relative time). Each format displays the time differently, giving you flexibility in how you communicate time information.

What is a Discord Snowflake ID and how do I decode it?

A Snowflake ID is Discord's unique identifier format for messages, users, channels, and servers. It contains encoded timestamp information about when the object was created. Our Snowflake decoder tool extracts this creation time along with internal metadata like worker and process IDs.

How can I create a countdown timer for Discord events?

Use our Countdown tool to generate relative time format timestamps that automatically display as countdowns in Discord. Set your target date and time, copy the generated code, and paste it into Discord to create a dynamic countdown that updates in real-time for your event.

Does Discord handle different time zones automatically?

Yes, Discord timestamps automatically convert to each user's local timezone based on their device settings. This makes them perfect for international communities and eliminates confusion about event times across different regions.

How do I convert UNIX timestamps for Discord messages?

Our UNIX to Discord converter tool lets you input any UNIX timestamp and instantly generates all compatible Discord timestamp formats. Simply enter your UNIX timestamp, select your preferred format, and copy the code to use in Discord.

Why do Discord timestamps show "in X hours" or "X days ago"?

This is the relative time format (R) in Discord timestamps. It dynamically calculates and displays how far away the timestamp is from the current time. Discord continuously updates this display as time passes, making it useful for deadlines and event countdowns.

Can I schedule messages with Discord timestamps?

While Discord doesn't have native scheduled messaging, you can use timestamps to clearly communicate when future events will occur. For automated scheduling, you'll need a Discord bot with scheduling capabilities, but our timestamp tools help you format the time information professionally.

Are Discord timestamps supported in all Discord clients?

Yes, Discord timestamps work across all official Discord clients including desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux), mobile (iOS, Android), and web browsers. They're a built-in Discord feature that renders consistently regardless of how users access Discord.

Want more detailed information? Check out our comprehensive articles about Discord timestamps, Snowflake IDs, and more.