Calendars and time
GPS Time
Direct answer
GPS Time is a continuous atomic time scale used by the Global Positioning System, beginning at 1980 January 6 and omitting leap seconds.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Related
- Geocentric Coordinate Time, Unix Time, Calendar, Julian Date
GPS Time is the continuous atomic system time used by GPS satellites.
A cycle or timeline schematic for comparing the named timekeeping concept.
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The story behind GPS Time
The GPS epoch was set when the system began, with GPS Time initially aligned to UTC but thereafter left continuous.
Why GPS Time matters
Navigation receivers must know its offsets from UTC and TAI to turn satellite signals into accurate positions and civil timestamps.
How to read GPS Time
GPS Time speaks to satellite navigation, receiver logs, and conversions involving GPS week and seconds-of-week.
GPS Time in practice: an example
GPS Time remains 19 seconds behind TAI, while its offset from UTC changes when UTC receives leap seconds.
Where readings of GPS Time go wrong
It is a mistake to convert GPS week values without handling week-number rollover and the applicable leap-second table.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NIST: UTC(NIST) Time Scale - Official description of UTC realization, atomic time, and leap-second coordination.
- BIPM SI Brochure Annex: Time - International metrology reference for the SI second, TAI, UTC, and Terrestrial Time.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
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More in Calendars & Timekeeping
- ISO Week Date
- Local Sidereal Time
- Proleptic Gregorian Calendar
- Solar Calendar
- UTC Offset
- Barycentric Coordinate Time
- Civil Day
- DUT1
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Common questions
What is GPS Time?
GPS Time is a continuous atomic time scale used by the Global Positioning System, beginning at 1980 January 6 and omitting leap seconds.
What do people get wrong about GPS Time?
It is a mistake to convert GPS week values without handling week-number rollover and the applicable leap-second table.
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