Why is it called "military time" instead of "day clock"?

Armed forces adopted the 24-hour format early because it eliminates ambiguity in high-stakes communication; the term "military time" stuck ever since.

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Military Time Converter

Military Time Converter: Instant 24-Hour Clock Calculator

Q: What is military time?

Military time, also called the 24-hour clock, runs from 00:00 to 23:59 without AM/PM, making schedules clear and unambiguous.

Q: How does Shifton remove time-conversion headaches?

Shifton auto-syncs user time zones, shows a unified 24-hour display across scheduling and time tracking, and lets teams toggle to 12-hour view when needed.

Q: What mistakes do people make with military time?

Typical errors include forgetting to add 12 after noon, misreading the first digit, dropping leading zeros, and confusing 00:00 with 24:00 around midnight.

Q: Are there international variations?

The 24-hour structure is universal, but notation differs; e.g., some countries write 15 30 instead of 15:30. Shifton supports these local formats.

Q: Does every soldier always use the 24-hour clock?

Official reports use the 24-hour clock, but informal speech may revert to 12-hour terms for clarity. Shifton offers the same flexibility.

Convert any 24-hour timestamp to standard AM/PM—and back—instantly. Avoid scheduling errors, align teams across time zones, and keep every shift on time with our free, lightning-fast military time converter.

Military ↔ Standard Time Converter

Military Time

Standard Time

Current Time Converter

AM/PM Time

24-Hour Time

Military Time

Military Time Converter: How to Convert 24-Hour (Military) Time to 12-Hour Standard Time

To translate a military-style time (24-hour) into its 12-hour equivalent, follow these guidelines:

1. Times from 00:00 (Midnight) to 11:59

Remove any leading zero: If the time begins with “0,” drop that digit.
Insert a colon: Place “:” between the hour and minute groups.
Add “AM”: Append “AM” to indicate a morning hour.

Examples:

0100 → 1:00 AM
0930 → 9:30 AM

2. Exactly 12:00 (Noon)

Insert a colon: Change “1200” into “12:00.”
Add “PM”: Append “PM” to signify midday.

Example:

1200 → 12:00 PM

3. Times from 13:00 to 23:59 (Afternoon/Evening)

Subtract 12 from the hour: Take the first two digits, subtract 12, and form the new hour.
Insert a colon: Place “:” between that result and the minute portion.
Add “PM”: Append “PM” because these hours fall after noon.

Examples:

1630 → 4:30 PM (16 – 12 = 4)
2145 → 9:45 PM (21 – 12 = 9)

4. Times from 00:00 to 00:59 (Midnight Hour)

Keep it unchanged: These times already reflect 12-hour logic. In military time, “0000” through “0059” simply map to “12:00 AM” through “12:59 AM.”

Example:

0015 → 12:15 AM

How to Convert 12-Hour Standard Time to 24-Hour Military Time

Military Time Converter: Reverse 12-Hour to 24-Hour Guide

Turning a 12-hour (AM/PM) clock reading into its 24-hour equivalent is simple:

For times from 12:00 AM (midnight) through 11:59 AM:
No changes are needed—these hours already align with the 24-hour format.

Example:
- 10:30 AM → 10:30

For 12:00 PM (noon):
Replace “PM” with “00” to mark the start of the afternoon in 24-hour notation.

Example:
- 12:00 PM → 12:00

For any time between 1:00 PM and 11:59 PM:

Add 12 to the hour.
If the resulting hour has a leading zero (for example, “09” + 12 = “021”), drop that extra “0” so it reads correctly (e.g., “21”).

Examples:
- 3:15 PM → 15:15 (3 + 12 = 15)
- 9:00 PM → 21:00 (9 + 12 = 21)

Keep in mind:

If seconds are included, carry them over as well (e.g., 5:23:17 PM → 17:23:17).
Always double-check your result—especially for afternoon times—to ensure accuracy.

Military to Standard Time Reference Guide

Our reference guide makes it simple to translate any 24-hour (military) timestamp into a familiar 12-hour (AM/PM) format. To use it, locate the military time on the left side of the chart and follow the row to the right to reveal its standard counterpart.

Morning Hours (00:00–11:59): In these cases, the military time and the 12-hour time match exactly—just append “AM.”
Noon (12:00): Shown as “12:00 PM” in the standard clock.
Afternoon & Evening (13:00–23:59): Subtract 12 from the hour value, then add “PM.” For example, “18:30” becomes “6:30 PM.”
Midnight (00:00): Reads as “12:00 AM” for both the start of the current day and the start of the next day, depending on context.

With this guide, you can instantly see how any military-style time converts to its AM/PM equivalent—no guesswork required.

Full Military ↔ Standard Time Table

Military Time	Standard Time

FAQ

What is military time?

Military time, also known as the 24-hour format, represents the day from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 without AM/PM. Each hour always shows two digits—e.g., 09:00 instead of 9:00 AM—so the display is clear and unambiguous. This digital time format is perfect for calculating shift schedules and tracking elapsed hours without confusion.

How does Shifton remove time-conversion headaches?

Shifton's built-in military time converter and scheduling engine eliminate manual calculations in several ways:

Key Benefit	What It Means for You
Automatic time-zone synchronization	Every user sees times adjusted to their local zone in real time.
Unified workspace	Shift planning, time tracking, and messaging all share the same 24-hour display, reducing human error.
Flexible display options	Team members can toggle between 24- and 12-hour views, so everyone works in the format they prefer.
Stronger team coordination	A single, precise clock format simplifies collaboration across offices and countries.

Start for free and see how Shifton streamlines every schedule!

Why is it called "military time" instead of something like "day clock"?

The name stuck because armed forces worldwide adopted the 24-hour clock early on—it eliminates ambiguity in high-stakes situations. Today, the same clarity benefits aviation, logistics, and modern workforce management software like Shifton.

What mistakes do people make with military time?

Not adding 12 after noon: 4:00 PM becomes 16:00, not 04:00.
Misreading the first digit: 13:00 is "thirteen hundred," not "three."
Dropping leading zeros: Writing 9:00 instead of 09:00 slows quick scans.
Midnight mix-ups: 00:00 and 24:00 can both mean midnight; context clarifies whether it's the end of one day or the start of the next.

Are there international variations?

The core 24-hour structure is universal, but notation differs slightly. In France, for example, a space sometimes replaces the colon—15 30 rather than 15:30. Shifton supports these localized displays, giving global teams familiar formatting.

Does every soldier always use the 24-hour clock?

Official reports, orders, and mission logs use 24-hour time. Informally, personnel may still speak in 12-hour terms, and some radio procedures revert to 12-hour for clarity. The same flexibility exists in Shifton's settings.

Pros and cons of military time

Advantages	Disadvantages
Clarity—no AM/PM confusion	Takes time for newcomers to learn
Universal format for international projects	Less intuitive for casual conversation
Precision when measuring shift length or overtime	Midnight (00:00 / 24:00) needs context