Analogue and digital clocks

Quick answer

Analogue clocks show time using hands on a clock face, while digital clocks show time using numbers. You can translate between them by understanding how the hour and minute hands move on an analogue clock and how digital displays show time in hours and minutes.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read and translate time from analogue clocks to digital displays and back again.

• You can tell the time to the nearest five minutes on an analogue clock
• You can read digital time displays correctly
• You can match the same time shown on both types of clocks
• You can explain how the minute hand moves around the clock face

Why this matters

Understanding how to read both analogue and digital clocks helps you know when it's time to wake up, eat lunch, play, or go to bed. It's useful in school, at home, and when you're out with friends. Many places still use analogue clocks, and you might need to read them for your daily routine. Knowing both types of clocks also helps you with future learning in maths and science.

How it works

Analogue clocks have two main hands:

1. The minute hand is longer and moves around the clock face to show minutes
2. The hour hand is shorter and shows which hour it is

Digital clocks show time using numbers. They usually show hours and minutes, like 3:15 or 7:45.

To translate between them:

1. Look at the hour hand on the analogue clock to see what hour it is
2. Count how many minutes the minute hand has moved past the 12
3. Write the time in digital format using hours and minutes

Examples you can see

Let's look at some examples of how to read time on both clocks.

Let's try a few more examples:

• When the hour hand is between 2 and 3 and the minute hand points to 6, it's 2:30
• When the hour hand is at 12 and the minute hand points to 12, it's 12:00
• When the hour hand is at 7 and the minute hand points to 3, it's 7:15

Try it as a mini adventure

Time Detective Adventure

You are a time detective who needs to solve a mystery. A treasure map shows the time of the treasure's appearance, but it's written in an old-style clock. You must translate the time to a modern digital clock to find the treasure!

First clue: The treasure appears when the hour hand is pointing to 10 and the minute hand is pointing to 12. What time is that?

Answer: 10:00

Second clue: The treasure is hidden when the minute hand is at 6 and the hour hand is between 3 and 4. What time is that?

Answer: 3:30

Third clue: The treasure appears at 11:45. What does the clock look like?

Answer: The hour hand is between 11 and 12, and the minute hand is pointing to 9.

Now, try to draw your own clocks for these times:

1. 8:15
2. 12:30
3. 5:45

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking the hour hand shows minutes instead of hours
  Why it happens: Children often focus on the longer minute hand and forget the hour hand shows the hour.
  Fix: Practice pointing to the hour hand and counting the hours on the clock face.
• Mistake: Confusing 15 minutes with 30 minutes on the minute hand
  Why it happens: The minute hand moves in increments, and children sometimes count by 5s incorrectly.
  Fix: Use a number line or count by 5s aloud to help understand minute increments.
• Mistake: Reading 12:00 as 0:00
  Why it happens: Both hands point to 12, so it's easy to get confused.
  Fix: Remember that 12:00 is noon or midnight, not 0:00, which is a different time.
• Mistake: Writing digital time as 1:15 instead of 1:15
  Why it happens: Children sometimes forget to add a zero for minutes under 10.
  Fix: Always write two digits for minutes, even if it's a single digit.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child learn to read both types of clocks can be fun and practical:

• Set a timer for 5 minutes and ask your child to tell you what time it is
• Use a clock with moveable hands to practice different times
• Ask your child to set the time on a clock to match a digital display
• Play a game where you say a time and your child draws the clock
• Point out clocks in your home and ask your child to read them aloud
• Practice with real-life situations like "What time do we eat dinner?"
• Use a digital clock to show the time and then ask your child to draw it on an analogue clock

Remember: It's normal for children to mix up the hands at first. Be patient and keep practicing together!

Practice questions

1. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is at 4 and the minute hand is at 12?
   Answer: 4:00
2. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is at 8 and the minute hand is at 6?
   Answer: 8:30
3. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is between 1 and 2 and the minute hand is at 3?
   Answer: 1:15
4. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is between 6 and 7 and the minute hand is at 9?
   Answer: 6:45
5. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is at 12 and the minute hand is at 12?
   Answer: 12:00
6. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is at 3 and the minute hand is at 11?
   Answer: 3:55
7. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is at 10 and the minute hand is at 1?
   Answer: 10:05
8. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is between 5 and 6 and the minute hand is at 8?
   Answer: 5:40
9. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is at 2 and the minute hand is at 7?
   Answer: 2:35
10. What time is shown on an analogue clock when the hour hand is at 11 and the minute hand is at 4?
    Answer: 11:20

FAQ

How do I know if it's morning or afternoon?

Look at the numbers on the clock. If it's between 1 and 12, it's either morning (AM) or afternoon (PM). Use a.m. for morning times and p.m. for afternoon and evening times.

Can I use the same time on both clocks?

Yes! The time shown on an analogue clock is the same as the time shown on a digital clock. For example, 9:30 on an analogue clock is the same as 9:30 on a digital clock.

Why do we have both types of clocks?

Analogue clocks help us see how time moves, while digital clocks show exact numbers. Both are useful in different situations. For example, you might use an analogue clock to know when it's time to eat, and a digital clock to check the exact time for a school event.

What's the difference between 12:00 and 0:00?

12:00 is noon or midnight, depending on the time of day. 0:00 is midnight, which is the start of a new day. 12:00 is the middle of the day.

How can I practice reading clocks?

You can practice by looking at clocks around your house, setting your own clocks, drawing clocks for different times, or playing games with friends or family that involve telling time.