How to Convert from 24 Hour to 12 Hour Time

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you’ve ever been stumped when you see a clock read something like 14:24, it's probably because you’re unfamiliar with 24-hour time. This form of timekeeping is commonly used in the U.S. military , Europe, and other parts of the world. Fortunately, it’s super simple to convert from 24-hour time to 12-hour (or standard) time and back. Remember that you only need to convert the hours—the minutes always stay the same.

Time Conversion Cheat Sheet

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Converting 24-Hour Time to 12-Hour Time

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Add 12 to the first hour of the day and include “AM.” In 24-hour time , midnight is signified as 00:00. So, for midnight hour, add 12 and the signifier “AM” to convert to 12-hour time. This means that, for example, 00:13 in 24-hour time would be 12:13 AM in 12-hour time. [1]

    Did You Know?
    The abbreviations “AM” and “PM” are Latin in origin. “AM” stands for “ante meridiem” which means “before noon” while PM stands for “post meridiem” which means “after noon.” [2]

  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Since 24-hour times moves from 00:00 (midnight) to 1:00, all you have to do is add “AM” to the time from 1:00 up until 11:59. You can also eliminate any leading zeroes. For instance, 06:28 in 24-hour time is equivalent to 6:28 AM in 12-hour time. This means that: [3]
    • 01:00 = 1:00 AM
    • 02:00 = 2:00 AM
    • 03:00 = 3:00 AM
    • 04:00 = 4:00 AM
    • 05:00 = 5:00 AM
    • 06:00 = 6:00 AM
    • 07:00 = 7:00 AM
    • 08:00 = 8:00 AM
    • 09:00 = 9:00 AM
    • 10:00 = 10:00 AM
    • 11:00 = 11:00 AM
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For the noon hour, simply add “PM” to the end of the 24-hour time to make it 12-hour time. So, for example, 12:45 would become 12:45 PM. [4]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-4.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Subtract 12 from 13:00 to 23:59 and include “PM.” For the hours after noon, subtract 12 hours from the 24-hour time. Then add “PM” at the end. For instance, to convert 14:36 to 12-hour time, subtract 12, which is 2:36, then add “PM.” There’s no need to include a leading zero for single-digit numbers in 12-hour time. Therefore: [5]
    • 13:00 = 1:00 PM
    • 14:00 = 2:00 PM
    • 15:00 = 3:00 PM
    • 16:00 = 4:00 PM
    • 17:00 = 5:00 PM
    • 18:00 = 6:00 PM
    • 19:00 = 7:00 PM
    • 20:00 = 8:00 PM
    • 21:00 = 9:00 PM
    • 22:00 = 10:00 PM
    • 23:00 = 11:00 PM
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Changing 12-Hour Time to 24-Hour Time

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-5.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Rather than using “12:00” twice in a 24-hour period, like in 12-hour time, 24-hour time uses “00:00” for the midnight hour. That means all you need to do is record the minutes. For example, 12:30 AM becomes 00:30. [6]

    Did You Know? There’s no 24:00 in 24-hour time since it moves from 23:00 (11:00 PM) to 00:00 (12:00 AM).

  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-6.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Changing the hours between midnight and noon from 12-hour time to 24-hour time is super simple. All you have to do is take away the “AM” signifier. If the hour number is a single digit, add a leading zero. So, for example, 6:00 AM is 06:00 and 10:15 AM is 10:15. Therefore: [7]
    • 1:00 AM = 01:00
    • 2:00 AM = 02:00
    • 3:00 AM = 03:00
    • 4:00 AM = 04:00
    • 5:00 AM = 05:00
    • 6:00 AM = 06:00
    • 7:00 AM = 07:00
    • 8:00 AM = 08:00
    • 9:00 AM = 09:00
    • 10:00 AM = 10:00
    • 11:00 AM = 11:00
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-7.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You don't need to do anything to change 12:00 PM to 12:00 in 24-hour time, except for eliminate the "PM" signifier. So, 12:22 PM would simply be 12:22, for instance. [8]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-8.jpg\/aid89437-v4-728px-Convert-from-24-Hour-to-12-Hour-Time-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For the afternoon, evening, and night hours, simply add 12 to the 12-hour time to convert it to 24-hour time. Also, eliminate “PM.” That means that 2:57 PM would become 14:57 and 11:02 would become 23:02. Therefore: [9]
    • 1:00 PM = 13:00
    • 2:00 PM = 14:00
    • 3:00 PM = 15:00
    • 4:00 PM = 16:00
    • 5:00 PM = 17:00
    • 6:00 PM = 18:00
    • 7:00 PM = 19:00
    • 8:00 PM = 20:00
    • 9:00 PM = 21:00
    • 10:00 PM = 22:00
    • 11:00 PM = 23:00
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I change 15:15h into 12 hour time?
    Community Answer
    That would be 3:15 p.m.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 39 Helpful 62
  • Question
    Does 12:45 mean night or afternoon?
    Community Answer
    It could mean either. If it says 12:45 a.m., that means it's night, 45 minutes after midnight. If it says 12:45 p.m., it is the afternoon, 45 minutes after noon.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 32 Helpful 31
  • Question
    How can I convert 12-hour time to 24-hour time?
    Abhimanyu Sinha
    Community Answer
    To convert to 24-hour time, if the time is AM, do nothing, whereas if it is PM, add 12:00 hours.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 23 Helpful 53
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Note that "16:35" would be pronounced "sixteen thirty-five" or "thirty-five minutes past sixteen."
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      • Depending on the speaker's preference, leading zeros may be pronounced as "zero" or "oh." So, for instance, 08:00 would be said as “oh-eight-hundred” or “zero-eight-hundred.” However, for times in the "zero hour" or midnight (00:00), both zeros are usually not pronounced.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      • If the colon is omitted, add “hours” at the end to signify military time. For example, “1600” would be said as “sixteen hundred hours.”
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tell Time Without a Clock
      How to
      Read and Pronounce Military Time
      How to
      Tell Time on a Clock: Step-by-Step Guide & Practice Examples
      How to
      Read a Sundial
      How to
      Teach Kids to Tell Time and Read a Clock
      How to
      Read Julian Dates
      How to
      Build a DIY Balance Scale
      How to
      Count to One Hundred
      How to
      Teach Your Child to Chew with Their Mouth Closed
      How to
      Teach Recognition of Numbers 11 to 20
      How to
      Teach Your Toddler to Pedal a Bike
      How to
      Teach Your Child the Days of the Week
      How to
      Teach an Autistic Child to Write
      How to
      Make a Concept Map
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/time.html
      2. ↑ https://www.militarytime.us/what-do-am-and-pm-stand-for/
      3. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/time.html
      4. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/time.html
      5. ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/mathematics-converting-am-pm-to-24-hour-clock/
      6. ↑ https://www.timecalculator.net/12-hour-to-24-hour-converter
      7. ↑ https://www.timecalculator.net/12-hour-to-24-hour-converter
      8. ↑ https://militarytimechart.com/
      9. ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/mathematics-converting-am-pm-to-24-hour-clock/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      24-hour time, sometimes called military time, is a way of measuring a full 24-hour day instead of splitting it up into two 12-hour shifts. To go from 24-hour time to 12-hour time, keep in mind that the 24-hour day starts at 00:00 instead of 12:00 AM. However, the minutes are still the same. For the first hour of the day, simply add a “12” where you see the initial 0 to convert to 12-hour time. For instance, 00:25 in 24-hour time is 12:25 AM in 12-hour time. After that, the rest of the hours of the morning look the same. For any time after 12:59 in 24-hour time, subtract 12 to get the 12-hour time. For example, if the time is 17:00, subtract 12 hours to get 5:00 PM in 12-hour time. For tips on how to convert back from 12-hour time to 24-hour time, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,003,106 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Amy Walter

        Aug 29, 2016

        "I'm converting to 24 hour time, and the tip for just subtracting 12 from the 24 hour time really helps me out. ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement