Military Time Chart: Convert 24-Hour Time Fast
September 3, 2026
Military time — the 24-hour clock — removes the AM/PM ambiguity that causes timesheet and scheduling errors. It runs from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59, so every time of day has one unmistakable value. This guide gives you a full conversion chart and the simple rules to switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time in seconds.
The simple conversion rules
24-hour to 12-hour (standard):
- Hours 00 to 11 are AM (00:00 is 12:00 AM midnight).
- Hours 13 to 23 are PM — subtract 12 (e.g., 17:00 → 5:00 PM).
- 12:00 stays 12:00 PM (noon).
12-hour to 24-hour (military):
- For PM times (except 12), add 12 (e.g., 3:00 PM → 15:00).
- 12:00 AM becomes 00:00; 12:00 PM stays 12:00.
- AM times keep their hour (9:00 AM → 09:00).
Full military time chart
| 12-hour | 24-hour | 12-hour | 24-hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 00:00 | 12:00 PM | 12:00 |
| 1:00 AM | 01:00 | 1:00 PM | 13:00 |
| 2:00 AM | 02:00 | 2:00 PM | 14:00 |
| 3:00 AM | 03:00 | 3:00 PM | 15:00 |
| 4:00 AM | 04:00 | 4:00 PM | 16:00 |
| 5:00 AM | 05:00 | 5:00 PM | 17:00 |
| 6:00 AM | 06:00 | 6:00 PM | 18:00 |
| 7:00 AM | 07:00 | 7:00 PM | 19:00 |
| 8:00 AM | 08:00 | 8:00 PM | 20:00 |
| 9:00 AM | 09:00 | 9:00 PM | 21:00 |
| 10:00 AM | 10:00 | 10:00 PM | 22:00 |
| 11:00 AM | 11:00 | 11:00 PM | 23:00 |
Why it matters for timesheets
AM/PM math is where clock-time errors start, because subtracting across noon is confusing — "9:00 to 5:00" hides whether that's 8 hours or something else. In 24-hour time, 09:00 to 17:00 is plainly 8 hours. Recording shift times in military time removes the ambiguity that causes miscounted hours, especially for overnight and rotating shifts.
The overnight shift case
Military time shines for shifts crossing midnight. A shift from 22:00 to 06:00 is clearly 8 hours; in 12-hour time, "10 PM to 6 AM" invites errors when you subtract. The 24-hour clock keeps the math straightforward even across the day boundary.
Let the clock handle formats for you
You don't have to think in 24-hour time at all if your timesheet does the conversion. Timesheet Maker records clock-ins in whatever format suits you, handles overnight shifts and the day boundary automatically, and totals hours correctly — so there's no AM/PM confusion and no manual conversion.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert military time to standard time? For hours 13 to 23, subtract 12 and add PM (17:00 → 5:00 PM). Hours 00 to 11 are AM, with 00:00 being 12:00 AM.
What is 17:00 in regular time? 5:00 PM. Subtract 12 from any hour 13 or higher to get the PM time.
What is 12:00 AM in military time? 00:00 (midnight). 12:00 PM (noon) stays 12:00.
Why use 24-hour time on timesheets? It removes AM/PM ambiguity, which makes hour calculations — especially for overnight and rotating shifts — clear and error-free.
Never miscount a shift again
Use the chart, add or subtract 12, and shift times stay unambiguous. To skip conversions entirely, try Timesheet Maker free.
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