What is timestamp precision?¶

Timestamp precision is the smallest time unit a value records or displays, such as a day, second or millisecond. It describes granularity, not whether the clock was correct.

More digits do not guarantee greater accuracy¶

A system can produce millisecond values from a clock that is two minutes fast. It can also assign several records the same whole-second value even though they arose in a definite internal order. Accuracy, precision and sequence are therefore separate questions.

Storage and presentation may differ too. A database may retain microseconds while an export truncates them, or a spreadsheet may merely hide fractional seconds through formatting. Rounding can move a displayed value into the next second.

Preserve the source representation and ordering fields¶

Keep the raw value, including fractional digits and zone or offset. Establish the field's data type and whether the collection, export or display layer rounded, truncated or reformatted it.

Where events share one timestamp, sequence numbers, monotonic counters, record positions, event IDs or linked request stages may support their order. The extra fields should be explained rather than silently converting equal timestamps into invented times.