Military Time Converter (+ Military Time Conversion Chart)

Your boss told you to be at work at “0700 hours,” and you don’t know what that means? Use our military time converter to quickly and easily convert military time to the familiar 12-hour clock.

If you don’t have access to a calculator, you can use the military time chart provided below.

Simply enter the time in the 24-hour clock format you want to convert, and our handy converter will do the rest.

Click the ‘switch mode’ button to switch between conversion modes.

How to Convert Military Time to 12-Hour Standard Time

Converting military time (24-hour) to 12-hour standard time follows these steps and helps avoid confusing AM/PM distinctions:

For times between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 11:59 AM:

1. Remove leading zeros: If the time starts with “0,” simply remove it.
2. Add colon: Insert a colon (“:”) between the first two and last two digits.
3. Include “AM”: Add “AM” after the time to indicate it’s morning.

For example:

• 0100 becomes 1:00 AM
• 0930 becomes 9:30 AM

For 12:00 PM:

1. Insert colon: Add a colon (“:”) between the first two and last two digits.
2. Include “PM”: Add “PM” after the time to indicate it’s noon.

For example:

• 1200 becomes 12:00 PM

For times between 1:00 PM and 11:59 PM:

1. Subtract 12: Subtract 12 from the first two digits.
2. Insert colon: Add a colon (“:”) between the first two and last two digits.
3. Include “PM”: Add “PM” after the time to indicate it’s afternoon or evening.

For example:

• 1630 becomes 4:30 PM (16 – 12 = 4)
• 2145 becomes 9:45 PM (21 – 12 = 9)

For times between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 12:59 AM (next day):

1. Keep the time as is: These times are already in 12-hour format and don’t require any conversion. Military time uses 0000 to represent both midnight instances. Note that 12:00 AM is an exception and is converted to 00:00 in military time, which is also referred to as zero hundred hours.

For example:

• 0015 remains 12:15 AM

How to Convert 12-Hour Standard Time to Military Time (24-Hour) Time

Converting 12-hour standard time to military time (24-hour) is straightforward when you use the correct method for changing between time formats. This method ensures you accurately convert and communicate time, which is especially important in professional fields that rely on precise keeping time.

For times between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 11:59 AM:

1. Keep the time as is: These times represent the morning hours in the 24-hour time format and don’t require any conversion.

For example:

• 10:30 AM remains 10:30

For 12 PM:

1. Change “PM” to “00”: Replace “PM” with “00” to indicate the beginning of the afternoon.

For example:

• 12 PM becomes 12:00

For times between 1:00 PM and 11:59 PM:

1. Add 12: Add 12 to the hour value.
2. Remove leading “0” if necessary: If the sum results in a two-digit hour, remove the leading “0.”

For example:

• 3:15 PM becomes 15:15 (3 + 12 = 15)
• 9:00 PM becomes 21:00 (9 + 12 = 21)

Remember:

• If the time is given with seconds, include them in the 24-hour format as well (e.g., 5:23:17 PM becomes 17:23:17).
• Double-check your conversion to ensure accuracy, especially when dealing with afternoon times.

Military to Regular Time Conversion Chart

This chart is your key to converting between military time (24-hour clock) and regular time (12-hour clock). The time format used in military time is a standardized method that helps avoid confusion, especially when distinguishing between morning hours and afternoon or evening times.

Find the military time in the left column and look across to the right column to see the corresponding regular time.

For times before noon, the military and regular times are the same.

For afternoon times, look for the military time and add 12 hours to find the regular time in the afternoon (PM).

The chart also shows how midnight (00:00) translates to both 12:00 AM (current day) and 12:00 AM (next day)

Using the correct method for converting between time formats is essential for keeping time accurately in professional environments such as the military, emergency services, and transportation.

Speaking and Writing Military Time

Mastering the art of speaking and writing military time is essential for clear communication, especially in fields where precision matters—like emergency services, government, and hospitals. Military time uses the 24-hour clock, an international standard adopted by many countries to avoid confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page, no matter where they are in the world.

When it comes to speaking military time, the format is straightforward but distinct from the 12-hour clock. The day starts at 0000 hours (midnight), and the last minute of the day is 2359 hours. To say a time aloud, you read the four digits as pairs.

For example, 0100 is spoken as “zero one hundred hours,” while 0230 becomes “zero two thirty hours.” For times after noon, you simply continue counting—so 1500 is “fifteen hundred hours,” and 2100 is “twenty-one hundred hours.” Minutes are always pronounced as two digits, making it easy to distinguish between, say, 0900 (“zero nine hundred hours”) and 0930 (“zero nine thirty hours”).

Writing military time is just as systematic. You use a four-digit format: the first two digits represent the hour, and the last two represent the minutes. There’s no need for colons or AM/PM designations. For example, 3:00 pm on a standard 12-hour clock is written as 1500 hours in military time, while 9:00 pm becomes 2100 hours. Midnight is written as 0000 hours, marking the start of a new day.

The military time chart—also known as a military time conversion chart—is your go-to tool for quick and accurate time conversion. It lays out every hour of the day in both 24-hour and 12-hour formats, making it easy to convert at a glance. For instance, if you see 1400 hours on the chart, you’ll know it’s 2:00 pm in standard time. Similarly, 1800 hours translates to 6:00 pm, and 2100 hours is 9:00 pm.

The difference between military time and standard time comes down to time notation. Military time uses a continuous 24-hour cycle, eliminating the need for AM and PM. This format is especially useful in settings where clarity is crucial, such as hospitals, government operations, and international events. Many countries rely on the 24-hour clock for official documentation and scheduling, making it a valuable skill for anyone working in global or high-stakes environments.

The easiest way to learn military time is to practice with a military time conversion chart or use an online military time converter. These tools help you quickly convert between the 12-hour and 24-hour formats, reinforcing your understanding of how the hours are counted and written. With regular use, reading and writing military time becomes second nature.

Example: If you need to communicate that a meeting is at 2:00 pm, you would say “fourteen hundred hours” and write it as 1400 hours. For 6:00 pm, it’s “eighteen hundred hours” (1800 hours), and for 9:00 pm, you’d use “twenty-one hundred hours” (2100 hours). If someone tells you to be ready at 1500 hours, you’ll know that’s 3:00 pm on the 12-hour clock.

FAQs

What is military time?

Military time, also known as the 24-hour clock, is a timekeeping system that uses a continuous 24-hour format to represent time throughout the day. The 24-hour day is divided into 24 equal hours, providing a clear and standardized way to track time. Unlike the traditional 12-hour clock (AM/PM), military time eliminates confusion by displaying hours from 00 (midnight) to 23 (one minute before midnight). Each hour is represented by two digits, even for single-digit hours (e.g., 09:00 instead of 9:00 AM). Minutes are displayed after the hours, separated by a colon (:).

The usage of military time is common in fields such as transportation, healthcare, and the military, where precise and unambiguous timekeeping is essential. Military time is often read aloud using specific words for each digit or group of digits to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.

How can you eliminate time conversion problems at work with Connecteam?

Connecteam is an employee scheduling software that can help eliminate time-conversion problems in several ways:

• Automatic time zone management: Connecteam automatically adjusts times based on individual user time zones, eliminating the need for manual conversions.
• Unified platform: Teams can schedule tasks, track work hours, and communicate in a single platform with consistent time display, preventing potential discrepancies.

• Customizable settings: Users can choose to display time in their preferred format (24-hour or 12-hour) within the Connecteam platform, reducing confusion for individuals with different preferences.
• Improved communication: Clear time display and automatic time zone adjustment foster better communication and collaboration within teams, regardless of their locations.

Connecteam can streamline your workflow and eliminate the hassle of manual time conversions, ensuring everyone is always on the same page.

Why is military time called “24-hour clock” and not “day clock”?

While “24-hour clock” accurately describes the format, “military time” is the more commonly used term. This name likely originated from its widespread adoption in the military, where its clarity and precision were valued.

What are common mistakes when using military time?

• Forgetting to add 12 for PM: When converting from standard time to military time, a common mistake is forgetting to add 12 to hours after noon. For example, 4:00 PM becomes 16:00, not 04:00.
• Misinterpreting the first digit: In the 24-hour format, times like 13:00 should be read as “one three hundred,” not “three.” This can lead to confusion with regular time (e.g., interpreting 13:00 as 1:00 PM instead of 1:00 AM).
• Omitting leading zeros: While not technically wrong, omitting leading zeros (e.g., writing 9:00 instead of 09:00) can create ambiguity and make it harder to quickly read and compare times.
• Midnight confusion: As previously mentioned, both 00:00 and 24:00 can represent midnight. The use of 24:00 specifically marks the end of a time interval and the end of a given date, while 00:00 marks the start of a new date. This distinction is important in scheduling, legal contracts, and time notation standards to avoid ambiguity about which day is being referenced.

Are there any international variations in military time?

While the basic format (24-hour clock) is consistent internationally, there might be slight differences in notation. Some countries, like France, may use a space instead of a colon to separate hours and minutes (e.g., 15 30 instead of 15:30). Countries such as France, Germany, Greece, and Turkey officially use the 24-hour clock system.

Does everyone in the military use 24-hour time?

While 24-hour time is the standard for official communication and documentation, individual soldiers might use 12-hour time in informal settings. Additionally, some militaries may have specific situations where 12-hour time is used (e.g., radio communications).

What are some advantages and disadvantages of using military time?

Advantages:

• Clarity: No confusion between AM and PM, simplifying communication and record-keeping.
• Universality: Consistent format worldwide, promoting understanding in international collaborations.
• Precision: Easier to track elapsed time with a single 24-hour format.

Disadvantages:

• Learning curve: Requires getting used to the format, especially for those unfamiliar with it.
• Informal communication: May not be as intuitive for everyday conversations compared to 12-hour time.
• Midnight ambiguity: Requires context to distinguish between 00:00 of the current day and the next day.