Posted by Ever stared blankly at a clock displaying “1700” and wondered what time it actually is? You’re not alone! Military time, also known as 24-hour time, can seem confusing at first. But don’t worry, it’s actually quite simple to understand once you know the trick.
This guide will break down how to effortlessly convert military time to standard time, so you can ditch the confusion and confidently decipher any digital display or schedule. We’ll go over the basics, provide easy conversion steps, and even share some helpful tips.
Decoding the Mystery
The fundamental difference between military and standard time is how they represent the hours of the day. Standard time uses a 12-hour clock with AM and PM to differentiate between morning and afternoon/evening. Military time, on the other hand, uses a 24-hour clock, counting continuously from 0000 (midnight) to 2359 (11:59 PM).
For times between 0100 and 1200, the military time is the same as the standard time. For example, 0900 is simply 9:00 AM. The key is that you add AM to the standard time. Easy peasy!
When the military time is 1300 or higher, that’s when we need to do a little math. To convert, simply subtract 1200 from the military time. For example, 1500 – 1200 = 300. Thus, 1500 hours in military time translates to 3:00 PM. Do not forget to add the PM!
Think of it this way: If the first digit is a 0 it is sometime in the morning and the standard is also sometime in the morning. If the first digit is a 1 or higher, it is sometime in the afternoon and the standard is sometime in the afternoon.
Let’s look at a few examples to really nail it down: 0000 is midnight, 0600 is 6:00 AM, 1200 is noon, 1800 is 6:00 PM, and 2300 is 11:00 PM. Practice makes perfect, so try converting times you see throughout your day.
Now that you’ve mastered the art of converting military time to standard time, you can confidently tackle any schedule, appointment, or digital display. Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a clearer understanding of time! Give it a try today by converting some military times and comparing them to their standard time counterparts.