What time is it? Military time made easy
Unless you work in an international industry, such as a global airline, most Americans never fully grasp military time. After all, “zero, two-hundred” (0200), “fourteen-thirty” (1430) and “twenty-three hundred” (2300) all sound more like money instead of time, right?
Military time is based on a 24-hour clock, which is why the numbers on the clock go from 00 to 23. The United States, however, uses the 12-hour clock, which is why the numbers do not go past 12, and the “a.m.” and “p.m.” must be used.
While most Americans may not need to learn military time, it is actually quite useful … and it’s very easy to learn!
Military Time: What You Need to Know
Just like a 12-hour digital clock, military time is always displayed in four digits. The first two digits represent the hour and the last two digits represent the minutes. 0000 (said “zero-hundred”) is midnight, and 1200 (said “twelve-hundred”) is noon. So far, so good.
Anything between 0001 and 1159 is basically “a.m.” time. For example, 0100 (said “zero, one-hundred”) converts into 1 a.m. and 0730 (said “zero, seven-thirty”) converts into 7:30 a.m. Pretty straightforward, huh?
Anything between 1201 and 2359 is basically “p.m.” time. The “p.m.” hours usually give people more trouble, but always remember that 1300 (said “thirteen-hundred”) converts into 1 p.m. Therefore, 1400 converts into 2 p.m., 1500 converts into 3 p.m., and so on and so on.
Below is a time conversation chart courtesy of Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. Best of all, MMA will teach you how to easily convert military time into civilian time without having to memorize the chart!
Conversation Chart
24-Hour Clock (Military Time): 12-Hour Clock (Civilian Time)
- 0000: Midnight
- 0100: 1 a.m.
- 0200: 2 a.m.
- 0300: 3 a.m.
- 0400: 4 a.m.
- 0500: 5 a.m.
- 0600: 6 a.m.
- 0700: 7 a.m.
- 0800: 8 a.m.
- 0900: 9 a.m.
- 1000: 10 a.m.
- 1100: 11 a.m.
- 1200: Noon
- 1300: 1 p.m.
- 1400: 2 p.m.
- 1500: 3 p.m.
- 1600: 4 p.m.
- 1700: 5 p.m.
- 1800: 6 p.m.
- 1900: 7 p.m.
- 2000: 8 p.m.
- 2100: 9 p.m.
- 2200: 10 p.m.
- 2300: 11 p.m.
A Quick Trick: Subtract 12
This trick will help you with the “p.m.” hours. Here we go!
The 24-hour clock says 2200. If you want to know what it converts to on the 12-hour clock, SUBTRACT 12 from 22. It gives you 10 … 10 p.m! Was that easy or what?
Try another!
A drill instructor says the time is “sixteen-hundred.” If you want to know what 1600 converts to on the 12-hour clock, SUBTRACT 12 from 16. It gives you 4 … 4 p.m.!
Another Quick Trick: Add the Hour
Here is another trick to help you with the “p.m.” hours.
Your Swedish grandfather will arrive at your local airport at 4 p.m., and you would like to give him the military time so he is not confused.
If you want to know what 4 p.m. converts to on the 24-hour clock, ADD 4 to 12. It gives you 16 … 1600!
Try one more!
If you want to know what 10 p.m. converts to on the 24-hour clock, ADD 10 to 12. If give you 22 … 2200!
Congratulations! You have learned military time! Now go to teach a friend!
Another time standard used by the military and other organizations is Zulu time. Read our article that explains Zulu time.
About Us…
Marine Military Academy is a private all boys boarding school located in Harlingen, TX. Educating Boys in grades 7 through 12 (and an optional post-graduate year), we provide a structured, distraction-free setting that allows students to focus on their academic and personal development. Small class sizes, individual attention, and the ability to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities helps boys reach their potential. To learn more. visit our the Marine Military Academy’s website.