24-Hour to 12-Hour Time Converter

Convert between 24-hour (military) time and 12-hour (AM/PM) time formats instantly. Perfect for international communication, travel, and scheduling.

Conversion Rules:

  • • For 0:00 to 0:59 → 12:00 AM to 12:59 AM
  • • For 1:00 to 11:59 → Same hour with AM
  • • For 12:00 to 12:59 → Same hour with PM
  • • For 13:00 to 23:59 → Subtract 12, add PM

Hours (0-23)

:

Minutes (0-59)

:

Example: 14:30 = 2:30 PM

Quick conversions - click to auto-fill:

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About 24-Hour and 12-Hour Time Formats

Two different systems for representing the time of day, each with distinct uses and conventions

24-Hour Time Format

  • Uses numbers 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (one minute before midnight)
  • Also known as "military time" in some countries
  • Standard in most countries worldwide for official and military use
  • Eliminates ambiguity between morning and evening times
  • Commonly used in transportation schedules, healthcare, and aviation

Examples:

00:00 (midnight), 08:30, 12:45, 17:20, 23:59

12-Hour Time Format

  • Uses numbers 1:00 to 12:59, followed by AM (Ante Meridiem) or PM (Post Meridiem)
  • AM refers to times from midnight to noon
  • PM refers to times from noon to midnight
  • Predominant in the United States, Canada, and a few other countries
  • Commonly used in casual conversation and non-official contexts

Examples:

12:00 AM (midnight), 8:30 AM, 12:45 PM (noon), 5:20 PM, 11:59 PM

Time Conversion Table

Common 24-hour to 12-hour time conversions for quick reference

24-Hour Time = 12-Hour Time Common Reference
00:00 = 12:00 AM Midnight
01:00 = 1:00 AM Early morning
06:00 = 6:00 AM Early morning
09:30 = 9:30 AM Morning
12:00 = 12:00 PM Noon
13:45 = 1:45 PM Afternoon
17:00 = 5:00 PM Evening
20:30 = 8:30 PM Night
23:59 = 11:59 PM One minute before midnight

Times are shown in HH:MM format. AM = Ante Meridiem (before noon), PM = Post Meridiem (after noon)

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about 24-hour and 12-hour time conversions

Why is 24-hour time called "military time"?

The 24-hour format is often referred to as military time in countries that primarily use 12-hour time because military organizations worldwide adopted it to avoid confusion in communications. This precision is critical for operations, logistics, and coordination where even a small time misunderstanding could have serious consequences.

How do I convert 12-hour time back to 24-hour time?

To convert from 12-hour to 24-hour time:

  • For 12:00 AM to 12:59 AM → Subtract 12 hours (becomes 00:00 to 00:59)
  • For 1:00 AM to 11:59 AM → Keep the same hours (01:00 to 11:59)
  • For 12:00 PM to 12:59 PM → Keep the same hours (12:00 to 12:59)
  • For 1:00 PM to 11:59 PM → Add 12 hours (13:00 to 23:59)

You can use the "Swap Direction" button in this converter to easily switch to 12-hour to 24-hour conversion.

Why do some countries use 24-hour time while others use 12-hour time?

The adoption of time formats is largely cultural and historical. Most countries switched to 24-hour time during the 20th century for official purposes due to its precision and lack of ambiguity. The United States, along with a few other countries, retained 12-hour time for everyday use, though 24-hour time is still used in military, aviation, and medical contexts.

Is noon 12 AM or 12 PM?

Noon is 12 PM (Post Meridiem), as it occurs after the meridian (midday). Midnight is 12 AM (Ante Meridiem), as it occurs before the meridian. This can be confusing because 12 is the starting point rather than the end of the 12-hour cycle.

In 24-hour time, this confusion is eliminated: noon is 12:00 and midnight is 00:00.

Should hours and minutes be written with leading zeros?

In 24-hour time, leading zeros are standard practice for hours 0-9 (e.g., 08:05 instead of 8:5). This maintains consistency with a two-digit format. For minutes 0-9, leading zeros are also standard in both formats (e.g., 3:07 PM or 15:07).

In casual 12-hour time usage, leading zeros are often omitted for hours (e.g., 9:30 AM instead of 09:30 AM).

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