Train timetables, flight tickets, hospital records and many digital devices use the 24-hour clock, while everyday speech in Pakistan uses AM and PM. Mixing them up can make you miss a train or a flight. This guide explains the 24-hour clock and how to convert quickly, with our free 12h / 24h / Military Time Converter.
How the 24-hour clock works
The day runs from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59. Hours after noon continue counting: 1 pm becomes 13:00, 6 pm becomes 18:00.
Converting 12-hour to 24-hour
- AM times: keep the hour, except 12 AM becomes 00.
- PM times: add 12 to the hour, except 12 PM stays 12.
| 12-hour | 24-hour |
|---|---|
| 12:30 AM | 00:30 |
| 7:15 AM | 07:15 |
| 12:00 PM (noon) | 12:00 |
| 3:45 PM | 15:45 |
| 11:50 PM | 23:50 |
Converting 24-hour to 12-hour
- 00:xx → 12:xx AM
- 01:00 to 11:59 → same, AM
- 12:xx → 12:xx PM
- 13:00 to 23:59 → subtract 12, PM
Midnight and noon
12 AM is midnight, the start of the day. 12 PM is noon. Many people mix these up. Writing “12 noon” or “12 midnight”, or simply using 00:00 and 12:00, avoids confusion.
Tickets and timetables
A flight at 00:45 on 15 March leaves just after midnight on the night between 14 and 15 March. Many travellers arrive a day late because they read it as the evening of 15 March. Always check the date with the time.
Time arithmetic is easier
Calculating durations is simpler in 24-hour time: 22:30 to 06:15 is 6:15 + 24:00 − 22:30 = 7 h 45 min. Our Time Calculator handles this automatically.
Military time
Military time is the 24-hour clock written without a colon, such as 1730 hours. Read the military time chart for more.
Time zones
When converting across countries, change the time zone first with the Time Zone Converter, then convert the format.
Frequently asked questions
What is 15:00 in 12-hour time?
3:00 PM.
Is 12 AM midnight or noon?
Midnight. 12 PM is noon.
What does 00:30 mean?
12:30 AM, half an hour after midnight.