Quick Conversion Method
For hours 13-23: Subtract 12 and add PM
Example: 1800 → 18 - 12 = 6 → 6:00 PM
How to Convert Military Time to Regular Time
Converting military time (24-hour format) to regular time (12-hour AM/PM format) is straightforward once you know the rules:
Step-by-Step Conversion
- Look at the first two digits (the hour)
- If 00-11: This is AM time. Use the hour directly (00 = 12 AM)
- If 12: This is 12:00 PM (noon)
- If 13-23: Subtract 12 to get the PM hour
- Keep the minutes the same
Common Military to Regular Time Conversions
| Military Time | Regular Time | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 0000 | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | Start of day |
| 0600 | 6:00 AM | Morning |
| 1200 | 12:00 PM (Noon) | Midday |
| 1300 | 1:00 PM | 13 - 12 = 1 |
| 1500 | 3:00 PM | 15 - 12 = 3 |
| 1700 | 5:00 PM | 17 - 12 = 5 |
| 1800 | 6:00 PM | 18 - 12 = 6 |
| 2000 | 8:00 PM | 20 - 12 = 8 |
| 2100 | 9:00 PM | 21 - 12 = 9 |
| 2300 | 11:00 PM | 23 - 12 = 11 |
Practice Examples
Example 1: Convert 0830 to regular time
08 is less than 12, so it's AM → 8:30 AM
Example 2: Convert 1445 to regular time
14 is greater than 12, so subtract: 14 - 12 = 2 → 2:45 PM
Example 3: Convert 2215 to regular time
22 is greater than 12, so subtract: 22 - 12 = 10 → 10:15 PM
Quick Reference: Afternoon & Evening Hours
| Military | Regular | Military | Regular |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1300 | 1:00 PM | 1900 | 7:00 PM |
| 1400 | 2:00 PM | 2000 | 8:00 PM |
| 1500 | 3:00 PM | 2100 | 9:00 PM |
| 1600 | 4:00 PM | 2200 | 10:00 PM |
| 1700 | 5:00 PM | 2300 | 11:00 PM |
| 1800 | 6:00 PM | 0000 | 12:00 AM |
Tips for Quick Conversion
- Memorize key hours: 1300=1PM, 1800=6PM, 2100=9PM
- Quick subtraction trick: For 13-21, just drop the "1" and subtract 2 from the second digit (17→7-2=5 PM)
- For 22 and 23: Think "10 PM" and "11 PM" directly
- Minutes stay the same: Only the hour changes in conversion
Why Convert Military to Regular Time?
Many people encounter military time in:
- Work schedules in healthcare, transportation, or military
- International travel (most countries use 24-hour time)
- Digital devices that may default to 24-hour format
- Official documents and legal records