EXIF GPS Date Stamp
The UTC date and time the GPS receiver obtained its position fix, stored separately from the photo timestamp and in UTC rather than local time.
Quick facts
| Tag ID | 0x001D GPSDateStamp, 0x0007 GPSTimeStamp |
|---|---|
| Stored in | GPS IFD |
| Example value | 2026:03:14 and 09:41:07 (UTC) |
| Also known as | GPSDateStamp, GPSTimeStamp, GPS UTC timestamp, satellite fix time |
| Privacy risk | High risk. Adds a precise UTC timestamp to the location fix. |
What the GPS Date Stamp tag actually means
GPSDateStamp and GPSTimeStamp record when the satellite fix was acquired, in UTC. They are separate from DateTimeOriginal, which is local wall-clock time, and the two together let you work out the timezone offset of the camera — which narrows the possible locations of the photo.
Why it matters
The timezone offset derived from comparing GPSDateStamp with DateTimeOriginal is a surprisingly strong locator. It can narrow a photo to a city, a region, or in some cases a small area, even if the precise coordinates are separately stripped.
What to do about it
Remove the whole GPS IFD. There is no reason to keep GPSDateStamp while removing the coordinates.
Who writes this tag
Devices with an active GPS receiver.
Sources and how this was verified
Tag IDs and encodings are taken from the CIPA DC-007-Translation (Exif 3.0) and ISO/IEC 21222-1 specifications. The privacy rating is our own editorial judgement, based on what each field can uniquely identify. Every entry in this reference is checked against real files produced by the cameras, phones and editors we test with.
- CIPA DC-007-Translation 2019 (Exif 3.0) — tag identifiers and IFD structure
- ISO/IEC 21222-1:2015 — data element registration
- Adobe XMP Specification (2024) — XMP packet properties
- IPTC IIM 4.2 — news/photo metadata field numbers
See our editorial and review policyfor how we test, rate and correct these entries. Found an error? Tell us.
Related EXIF tags
The exact latitude, longitude and altitude where the photo was taken. The single most dangerous tag in any photo, and the reason most people want a metadata remover.
The exact moment the shutter fired, down to the second. It is one of the most revealing tags on a photo and one of the most frequently leaked.
GPS Date Stamp FAQ
Common questions about the EXIF gps date stamp tag, its values and its privacy implications.
What is the difference between GPSDateStamp and DateTimeOriginal?
DateTimeOriginal is local wall-clock time with no timezone attached. GPSDateStamp is the UTC date the position fix was obtained. Comparing the two reveals the camera timezone offset.
Can GPSDateStamp reveal my location even without GPS coordinates?
It helps. The timezone offset narrows the photo to a region, and combined with other tags it can be decisive. On its own it is far less precise than the coordinates themselves.
Cite this reference
If you are writing about the EXIF gps date stamp tag, you are welcome to link to this entry. It is maintained, versioned and reviewed on a published schedule.
“EXIF GPS Date Stamp (0x001D GPSDateStamp), freexifdata.com EXIF Tag Reference, reviewed October 20, 2026.”