Understand the idea.
The hands tell different things
The longer minute hand shows minutes after the hour. Each move between neighbouring numbers is five minutes. Multiply the number it points to by five, except that 12 marks zero minutes past.
The shorter hour hand moves gradually. Read the hour it has already passed, even when it is closer to the next number. Read minutes separately, then combine the two parts of the time.
A day has 24 hours
A 12-hour clock repeats its positions twice a day. Use am from midnight until before noon, and pm from noon until before midnight. Noon is 12:00 pm; midnight is 12:00 am.
A 24-hour clock identifies the part of the day with hours 00 to 23, so it needs no am or pm label. An unlabelled analogue clock alone cannot distinguish a morning time from its evening partner.
See the method in action.
Read the two hands
The minute hand points to 8. The hour hand is between 5 and 6. What time is it?
Worked solution
- 1
Read the minute hand.
The eighth numbered position is eight five-minute intervals after the hour.
- 2
Read the hour already passed.
Between 5 and 6 means the current hour is 5, even if the hand is nearer 6.
- 3
Combine the readings.
The time is forty minutes after five; the question gives no am or pm information.
5:40. The part of the day is not known.
Choose the part of the day
A concert starts at 6:30 in the evening. Write the time using a 12-hour label.
Worked solution
- 1
Choose the part-of-day label.
An evening time before midnight belongs to the pm part of the day.
- 2
Attach it to the given clock time.
A 12-hour label clarifies the time without changing its hour or minutes.
6:30 pm
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
The minute hand is at 3 and the hour hand has just passed 9. What time is shown?
Show answer & reasoning
9:15
The minute hand gives minutes. The hour hand has passed 9, so combine them as 9:15.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions · 8 marks
Read the questions online
- The minute hand points to 2 and the hour hand is just past 8. Write the time.1 mark
- Read the time on the clock. Do not add am or pm unless it is known.1 mark
- Write quarter to four in the afternoon in digital 12-hour time.1 mark
- Is the start of a new day 12:00 am or 12:00 pm?1 mark
- A 24-hour display shows 08:05. State the hour, minutes and part of the day.2 marks
- Sam says an unlabelled clock showing 7:00 proves it is breakfast time. Explain why that is not certain.2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- The minute hand points to 2 and the hour hand is just past 8. Write the time.1 mark
minutes; the last hour passed is 8.
8:10 - Read the time on the clock. Do not add am or pm unless it is known.1 mark
The minute hand is at 6, giving 30 minutes; the hour hand is between 10 and 11.
10:30 - Write quarter to four in the afternoon in digital 12-hour time.1 mark
Quarter to the next hour is 15 minutes before it; .
3:45 pm - Is the start of a new day 12:00 am or 12:00 pm?1 mark
A new day begins at midnight.
12:00 am - A 24-hour display shows 08:05. State the hour, minutes and part of the day.2 marks
The fields show hour 08 and minute 05. Hour 08 is before noon.
8 hours and 5 minutes after midnight; 8:05 am. - Sam says an unlabelled clock showing 7:00 proves it is breakfast time. Explain why that is not certain.2 marks
The same 12-hour clock positions occur twice each day.
It could be 7:00 am or 7:00 pm; a label or context is needed.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
12-/24-hour clocks; conversion; interpreting schedules.
Official curriculum source ↗