Military Time ConverterFree online other calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Convert 24-hour time to 12-hour notation.
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About the Military Time Converter
The Military Time Converter converts a 24-hour clock time into 12-hour notation with an AM or PM label. Enter hours and minutes, such as the default 17:30, to see the equivalent time: 5:30 PM.
- 24-hour time
- The clock time to convert, entered as HH:MM in hours and minutes, with hours from 00 through 23 and minutes from 00 through 59; the default is 17:30.
Formula and method
h = ((H + 11) mod 12) + 1; m = M; P = AM if H < 12, otherwise PM. Format the result as h:mm P. For 17:30: h = ((17 + 11) mod 12) + 1 = 5, m = 30, and P = PM, giving 12-hour time = 5:30 PM.
- HThe hour component of the input in 24-hour notation, from 0 through 23.
- MThe minute component of the input, from 0 through 59.
- hThe converted hour in 12-hour notation, from 1 through 12.
- mThe unchanged minute component, displayed with two digits.
- PThe AM or PM label determined by the input hour.
- modThe modulo operation, which returns the remainder after division.
Read the hour and minute components of the entered time. Convert the hour to the range 1–12 using the formula, leave the minutes unchanged, and assign AM to hours before noon or PM to hours from noon onward. For the default 17:30, subtracting 12 from the hour gives 5, while the minutes remain 30, producing 5:30 PM.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- 24-hour time17:30
Results
- 12-hour time5:30 PM
How to use the Military Time Converter
- 1Locate the input labeled 24-hour time.
- 2Enter a valid time in HH:MM format, or keep the default 17:30.
- 3Check that the hours are within 00–23 and the minutes are within 00–59.
- 4Read the converted result in the 12-hour time output row.
- 5For the default input, confirm that the output is 5:30 PM; the minutes stay the same and PM identifies the afternoon or evening.
Reading your result
The 12-hour time row shows the same clock time using an hour from 1 through 12, two-digit minutes, and an AM or PM label. With the default 17:30, the output 5:30 PM means half past five in the afternoon. This changes only the notation, not the time itself.
Limitations
This tool converts hours and minutes only; it does not convert time zones, adjust for daylight saving time, or determine a date. It assumes a valid 24-hour input from 00:00 through 23:59. The end-of-day notation 24:00 is outside that input range. Despite the calculator's name, it converts clock notation rather than interpreting military time-zone letters or spoken military time.
Common questions
Why does 17:30 become 5:30 PM?+
The hour 17 is after noon, so subtract 12 to get 5 and use PM. The minutes remain 30, giving 5:30 PM.
How does the converter handle midnight and noon?+
A midnight hour of 00 becomes 12 AM, while a noon hour of 12 remains 12 and receives PM. In both cases, the minutes are preserved.
Should I type 1730 or 17:30?+
Use the documented HH:MM format: 17:30. Although military time is often written without a colon, colon-free input is not assumed to be supported.
Does converting military time change my time zone?+
No. The converter changes only the display format from 24-hour to 12-hour notation. The result refers to the same local clock time as the input.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.