24-hour clock for children

Quick answer

You can read the 24-hour clock by looking at the numbers and knowing that the first part shows the hour (from 00 to 23) and the second part shows the minutes (from 00 to 59). To change from 24-hour to 12-hour time, if the hour is 12 or less, it's the same number, but if it's more than 12, subtract 12 and add "pm".

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read times on a 24-hour clock and change them to 12-hour time.

• You can tell the time using numbers like 14:30
• You can change 14:30 to 2:30 pm
• You can understand that 00:00 means midnight
• You can use the 24-hour clock in everyday life

Why this matters

The 24-hour clock is used in many places around the world, especially in schools, hospitals, and trains. It helps avoid confusion between morning and evening times. You might see it on your phone, in a train timetable, or when your parents check the weather forecast. Knowing how to read it helps you understand the time better and helps you plan your day.

How it works

On a 24-hour clock, time is shown in a special way:

1. It starts at 00:00 (midnight)
2. It goes up to 23:59 (one minute before midnight)
3. After 12:00, it continues up to 23:59
4. Then it starts again at 00:00

When you see a time like 14:30, the first two digits (14) show the hour and the last two (30) show the minutes.

Examples you can see

Let's look at some examples:

Look at the number 14:30. The 14 means it's 2 hours after noon. So, 14 - 12 = 2. The time is 2:30 pm.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you're going on a train journey. You need to catch a train at 15:45. What time is that in 12-hour format?

1. Look at the hour: 15
2. Is 15 less than or equal to 12? No.
3. Subtract 12 from 15: 15 - 12 = 3
4. So, 15:45 = 3:45 pm

Now, what time is 08:30 in 12-hour time?

1. Look at the hour: 8
2. Is 8 less than or equal to 12? Yes.
3. So, 08:30 = 8:30 am

Let's try another one! What is 22:10 in 12-hour time?

1. Look at the hour: 22
2. Is 22 less than or equal to 12? No.
3. Subtract 12 from 22: 22 - 12 = 10
4. So, 22:10 = 10:10 pm

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking 12:00 is 12:00 pm in 24-hour time.
  Why it happens: It's easy to forget that 12:00 in 24-hour time is noon, which is 12:00 pm.
  Fix: Remember that 12:00 is noon and 24:00 is midnight. So 12:00 = 12:00 pm.
• Mistake: Adding 12 to a number like 10:30 to get 22:30.
  Why it happens: Children may think all times after noon need 12 added.
  Fix: Only subtract 12 if the hour is more than 12.
• Mistake: Confusing 00:00 with 12:00 am.
  Why it happens: Both are midnight, but 00:00 is used in 24-hour time.
  Fix: Remember that 00:00 = 12:00 am.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child learn the 24-hour clock by:

1. Using a clock at home with both 12-hour and 24-hour displays
2. Practising with real-life times like when they wake up or go to bed
3. Playing a game where you say a 24-hour time and they say the 12-hour version
4. Looking at train timetables or weather forecasts together
5. Encouraging them to read the time on their phone or watch

Remember to be patient. It takes time to get used to a new way of reading time. Celebrate small wins and don't worry if they make mistakes.

Practice questions

1. What is 13:20 in 12-hour time?
2. What is 09:15 in 12-hour time?
3. What is 21:45 in 12-hour time?
4. What is 00:00 in 12-hour time?
5. What is 12:00 in 24-hour time?

Answers:

1. 1:20 pm
2. 9:15 am
3. 9:45 pm
4. 12:00 am
5. 12:00

FAQ

What is the 24-hour clock?

The 24-hour clock is a way to show time from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (one minute before midnight). It helps avoid confusion between morning and evening times.

Why do we use the 24-hour clock?

We use it in places like schools, hospitals, and trains because it makes it clear when something happens. It avoids the confusion of "am" and "pm".

How do I change 24-hour to 12-hour time?

If the hour is 12 or less, it's the same number. If it's more than 12, subtract 12 and add "pm". For example, 14:30 becomes 2:30 pm.

What does 00:00 mean?

00:00 means midnight. It's the start of a new day.

Can I use the 24-hour clock at home?

Yes! Many clocks and phones show both 12-hour and 24-hour times. You can practice reading it at home.