Key Concept
Military time runs from 0000 (midnight) to 2359 (11:59 PM)
No AM or PM needed – the 24-hour format eliminates all confusion!
Military time, also known as the 24-hour clock, is used worldwide by military, healthcare, aviation, and emergency services. Learning to read military time is straightforward once you understand the simple rules.
Step 1: Understanding the Basics
The 24-hour clock counts hours from 00 to 23, instead of repeating 1-12 twice with AM/PM:
Midnight
Start of day
Noon
Midday
6 PM
Evening
11:59 PM
End of day
Step 2: Reading Morning Hours (0000-1159)
Morning Hours Rule
For times from midnight to 11:59 AM, simply read the numbers directly:
- 0800 = 8:00 AM (just remove leading zeros for verbal use)
- 0930 = 9:30 AM
- 1145 = 11:45 AM
Step 3: Reading Afternoon/Evening Hours (1200-2359)
PM Hours Rule
For hours 13 and above, subtract 12 to get the PM hour:
- 1300 = 13 - 12 = 1:00 PM
- 1700 = 17 - 12 = 5:00 PM
- 2100 = 21 - 12 = 9:00 PM
Quick Tip
For hours 13-21, subtract 2 from the first digit. Example: 1700 → 1-2=-1, use second digit 7, so it's 5:00 PM
Complete Military Time Reference Chart
| Standard Time | Military Time | How to Say It |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM (Midnight) | 0000 | Zero-hundred |
| 1:00 AM | 0100 | Zero-one-hundred |
| 6:00 AM | 0600 | Zero-six-hundred |
| 9:00 AM | 0900 | Zero-nine-hundred |
| 12:00 PM (Noon) | 1200 | Twelve-hundred |
| 1:00 PM | 1300 | Thirteen-hundred |
| 5:00 PM | 1700 | Seventeen-hundred |
| 6:00 PM | 1800 | Eighteen-hundred |
| 9:00 PM | 2100 | Twenty-one-hundred |
| 11:00 PM | 2300 | Twenty-three-hundred |
Practice Reading Military Time
Test yourself with these examples:
| Military Time | Your Answer | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 0730 | Try first! | 7:30 AM |
| 1445 | Try first! | 2:45 PM |
| 1830 | Try first! | 6:30 PM |
| 2215 | Try first! | 10:15 PM |
Common Military Time Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting leading zeros: Always write 0800, not 800
- Confusing midnight: Use 0000 for the start of a day, not 2400
- Subtracting from wrong times: Only subtract 12 from hours 13-23
- Adding colons: Military time usually omits the colon (1800, not 18:00)
Why Learn Military Time?
Reading military time is essential in many fields:
- Military & Defense: Standard communication format
- Healthcare: Prevents medication timing errors
- Aviation: Global flight coordination
- Emergency Services: Precise incident logging
- International Travel: Many countries use 24-hour time
Need Instant Conversions?
Use our free military time converter for quick, accurate results!
Try Our Converter NowSummary: Reading Military Time in 3 Steps
- Look at the first two digits – this is the hour
- If 12 or less – it's that time AM (00 = midnight)
- If 13 or more – subtract 12 for the PM hour
With practice, reading military time becomes second nature. Start by checking the time in military format on your phone or computer settings!