Table of contents:
Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Use the conversion image provided as a visual guide to familiarize yourself with the 12 vs. 24-hour time concept. This tool will support your learning and help you master the conversion process.
Converting AM/PM to 24-hour clock
Converting 24 hour clock to AM/PM
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the 24-Hour Clock (military time) and AM/PM:
12-hour am-pm clock | 24-hour clock |
---|---|
12:00 midnight (start of the day) | 00:00 |
01 : 00 am | 01 : 00 |
02 : 00 am | 02 : 00 |
03 : 00 am | 03 : 00 |
04 : 00 am | 04 : 00 |
05 : 00 am | 05 : 00 |
06 : 00 am | 06 : 00 |
07 : 00 am | 07 : 00 |
08 : 00 am | 08 : 00 |
09 : 00 am | 09 : 00 |
10 : 00 am | 10 : 00 |
11 : 00 am | 11 : 00 |
12 : 00 pm | 12 : 00 |
01 : 00 pm | 13 : 00 |
02 : 00 pm | 14 : 00 |
03 : 00 pm | 15 : 00 |
04 : 00 pm | 16 : 00 |
05 : 00 pm | 17 : 00 |
06 : 00 pm | 18 : 00 |
07 : 00 pm | 19 : 00 |
08 : 00 pm | 20 : 00 |
09 : 00 pm | 21 : 00 |
10 : 00 pm | 22 : 00 |
11 : 00 pm | 23 : 00 |
12:00 midnight (end of the day) | 24:00 |
Note: "12 AM" and "12 PM" can cause confusion, so we prefer "12 Midnight" and "12 Noon".
24-hour clock – where is it used?
The 24-hour time clock system is the most used in the world and is the international standard notation of time. (ISO 8601).
The United States, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia or New Zealand the 12-hour AM/PM format is still more commonly used. In these countries, the 24-hour format is called 'Military time'.
Should "AM" be "ante meridiem" or "ante meridian" (likewise for PM)?
The official (according to an American, Australian, and British dictionary) and most common spelling for AM is "ante meridiem," a Latin phrase.
But people sometimes use the phrase "ante meridian" (a "meridian" in this case refers to an imaginary line in the sky when the sun is at its highest point).
Learn about AM PM full form.
The 24-hour time format is usually used in transportation, medical, and military industries to avoid confusion. The 24-hour clock is also called railway/railroad time, military time, and continental time.