12 Hour Clock (AM and PM) to 24 Hour Clock Converter

Convert am and pm (or a.m and p.m) to a 24 hour clock to see the right time. For example, 12 am is 00:00 and 12 pm is 12:00.

When it comes to telling time, there are two commonly used systems: the 12 hour clock and the 24 hour clock. The 12 hour clock is the most widely used system in the United States and other English-speaking countries, while the 24 hour clock is more commonly used in Europe and other parts of the world. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between the two systems and provide a convenient converter to switch between them.

The 12 Hour Clock

The 12 hour clock divides the day into two 12-hour periods: AM (ante meridiem) and PM (post meridiem). The AM period represents the time from midnight (12:00 AM) to noon (11:59 AM), while the PM period represents the time from noon (12:00 PM) to midnight (11:59 PM). This system is often used in everyday life, such as when scheduling appointments, meeting friends, or catching a flight.

For example, if someone says they will meet you at 2:00 PM, it means they will meet you in the afternoon. Similarly, if a TV show is scheduled to air at 8:30 PM, it will be on in the evening.

The 24 Hour Clock

The 24 hour clock, also known as military time or the international standard time, uses a continuous count of 24 hours from midnight to midnight. It eliminates the need for distinguishing between AM and PM by using a four-digit format. The first two digits represent the hour, ranging from 00 to 23, while the last two digits represent the minutes, ranging from 00 to 59.

For example, 2:00 AM in the 12 hour clock is equivalent to 02:00 in the 24 hour clock. Similarly, 8:30 PM in the 12 hour clock is equivalent to 20:30 in the 24 hour clock.

Converting from 12 Hour Clock to 24 Hour Clock

If you need to convert a time from the 12 hour clock to the 24 hour clock, the process is relatively simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Identify whether the time is in the AM or PM period.
2. If the time is in the PM period, add 12 to the hour.
3. Write down the new hour and keep the minutes the same.

For example, let’s say you want to convert 5:30 PM to the 24 hour clock:

1. The time is in the PM period.
2. Add 12 to the hour: 5 + 12 = 17.
3. The new time is 17:30 in the 24 hour clock.

Converting from 24 Hour Clock to 12 Hour Clock

If you need to convert a time from the 24 hour clock to the 12 hour clock, the process is also straightforward. Here’s how:

1. Identify whether the hour is greater than or equal to 12.
2. If the hour is greater than or equal to 12, subtract 12 from the hour.
3. Write down the new hour and keep the minutes the same.
4. Identify whether the new time is in the AM or PM period.

For example, let’s say you want to convert 16:30 to the 12 hour clock:

1. The hour is greater than 12.
2. Subtract 12 from the hour: 16 – 12 = 4.
3. The new time is 4:30 PM in the 12 hour clock.

What does AM mean?

The abbreviation am (also AM or a.m) comes from the Latin phrase ante meridiem, which when translated into Polish means morning. So we apply am to the morning hours. Also note that am also occurs for the nighttime hours, which is 00:01 to 06:00.

PM in Hour Clock meaning

The designation pm can also be written as pm or p.m, which means from the Latin post meridian and refers to noon. The full range of hours is from 12:00 to 23:59. Therefore, in addition to the afternoon hours, you can also describe the evening hours (from 18:00 to 23:59) using.

Notation form a.m and p.m for a 12 hour clock

You can come across a different way of writing the time in a 12-hour clock. If we want to make a formal style, it is best to use a.m or p.m. However, it is also possible to record less formally, such as AM / PM and am / pm. However, one should follow reasonable consistency, i.e. use the same sign everywhere.

Using a.m and p.m in Anglo-Saxon countries (and former colonies) makes it easier to tell the time because no additional information about the time of day is needed.

12-hour clock to 24-hour clock conversion table

Conclusion

Understanding how to convert between the 12 hour clock and the 24 hour clock can be useful in various situations, especially when dealing with international travel or working in professions that use the 24 hour system. By following the simple conversion steps outlined in this post, you can easily switch between the two systems and communicate time effectively, no matter where you are in the world.