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# Date.now()

The static **`Date.now()`** method returns the number of milliseconds elapsed since the [epoch](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Date#the_ecmascript_epoch_and_timestamps), which is defined as the midnight at the beginning of January 1, 1970, UTC.

## Syntax

```js
Date.now()
```

### Return value

A number representing the number of milliseconds elapsed since the [epoch](https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Date#the_ecmascript_epoch_and_timestamps), which is defined as the midnight at the beginning of January 1, 1970, UTC.
