We’ve rebuilt the stardate calculator to be easier to understand and use. Find it in on the Resources page or directly at this link or click on the dropdown menu in the top right (next to your profile picture) and select “Stardate Calendar” at the bottom.
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I've noticed some questions and confusion about stardate conversions cropping up from time to time. I just wanted to take a minute to lay out what I do, and why.
On our Resources page, you’ll notice that there are actually two converters.
The first, converts from IRL date to stardate. This should output a five-digit stardate that begins with a 9. If you use the IC date here instead, you'll get a far-too-high six digit number that you shouldn't use (and you'll see why in a moment).
The second section converts stardate to IC date. Here's where it becomes important to use the right dates. If I use the first converter to get the current stardate, right now (on March 16, 2016), it gives me Stardate 92205. When I plug this into the second converter, it spits out the IC date (March 16, 2415). This allows you to provide a Stardate, and then anyone later on can take that stardate and find the correct IC date that you're trying to convey.
In contrast, if I use the current IC date (March 16, 2415), the first converter gives Stardate 491205. If you plug that stardate into the second converter, it spits back March 16, 2814.
TL;DR:
When calculating a stardate, I highly recommend starting with the IRL date rather than the IC date. Unless your stardate starts with a 9-, you've probably done it wrong.
The -399 there serves as a nice easy reminder if you wanted to then translate back to the original IRL date. A way of showing both. The 2814 date doesn't fit at all. For further proof, grab any stardate from TNG forwards and try it.
Warning
Math Incoming!
TNG Encounter at Farpoint, Stardate 41153.7: February 26, 2364
DS9 Emissary, Stardate 46379.1: May 19, 2369
DS9 What You Leave Behind, Stardate 52902.0: November 26, 2375
VOY Endgame, Stardate 54973.4: December 22, 2377
Star Trek Nemesis, Stardate 56844.9: November 5, 2379
The Path To 2409 (STO), Hobus Supernova, Stardate 64444.5: June 12, 2387
See the progression? 41xxx in 2364 to 64xxx in 2387 is exactly 23 years and 23,000 stardates. One thousand stardates per year.
Follow it out.
2364 to 2415 is 51 years.
41000 + (51 * 1000) = 92000
And there's our familiar 92xxx stardates that the converter is giving us. The higher numbers simply don't make that kind of sense.
The -399 there serves as a nice easy reminder if you wanted to then translate back to the original IRL date. A way of showing both. The 2814 date doesn't fit at all. For further proof, grab any stardate from TNG forwards and try it.
Warning
Math Incoming!
TNG Encounter at Farpoint, Stardate 41153.7: February 26, 2364
DS9 Emissary, Stardate 46379.1: May 19, 2369
DS9 What You Leave Behind, Stardate 52902.0: November 26, 2375
VOY Endgame, Stardate 54973.4: December 22, 2377
Star Trek Nemesis, Stardate 56844.9: November 5, 2379
The Path To 2409 (STO), Hobus Supernova, Stardate 64444.5: June 12, 2387
See the progression? 41xxx in 2364 to 64xxx in 2387 is exactly 23 years and 23,000 stardates. One thousand stardates per year.
Follow it out.
2364 to 2415 is 51 years.
41000 + (51 * 1000) = 92000
And there's our familiar 92xxx stardates that the converter is giving us. The higher numbers simply don't make that kind of sense.
I guess that makes sense. Why does this have to be so confusing lol?
The -399 there serves as a nice easy reminder if you wanted to then translate back to the original IRL date. A way of showing both. The 2814 date doesn't fit at all. For further proof, grab any stardate from TNG forwards and try it.
Warning
Math Incoming!
TNG Encounter at Farpoint, Stardate 41153.7: February 26, 2364
DS9 Emissary, Stardate 46379.1: May 19, 2369
DS9 What You Leave Behind, Stardate 52902.0: November 26, 2375
VOY Endgame, Stardate 54973.4: December 22, 2377
Star Trek Nemesis, Stardate 56844.9: November 5, 2379
The Path To 2409 (STO), Hobus Supernova, Stardate 64444.5: June 12, 2387
See the progression? 41xxx in 2364 to 64xxx in 2387 is exactly 23 years and 23,000 stardates. One thousand stardates per year.
Follow it out.
2364 to 2415 is 51 years.
41000 + (51 * 1000) = 92000
And there's our familiar 92xxx stardates that the converter is giving us. The higher numbers simply don't make that kind of sense.
I guess that makes sense. Why does this have to be so confusing lol?
Because Space, probably? Anyway, Stardates orginally were created to stop discussion on actually having the technology in the Century of TOS, people wouldn't be reminded it was 200 years in the future and that way people wouldn't discuss if transporters would be ready in 200/300 years. That's what I read anyway.
