MilitaryTimer.com

Convert Between Standard & Military Time

Military Time Converter

Convert between standard 12-hour and military 24-hour time formats instantly. Perfect for aviation, healthcare, military, and international business.

Military Time Converter

Quick Tips:

  • • Standard format: 3:30 PM, 11:45 AM
  • • Military format: 15:30, 23:45, or 1530, 2345
  • • Military time runs from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59

Zulu Time (UTC) Converter

New York, Toronto, Miami

About Zulu Time:

  • • Zulu Time = UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) = GMT
  • • Used in aviation, military, and international operations
  • • Written as "1200Z" or "12:00 Zulu"
  • • No daylight saving time adjustments
  • • Reference point for all other time zones

What is Military Time?

Military time, also known as 24-hour time, is a method of timekeeping that runs from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (one minute before midnight). Unlike the standard 12-hour clock that uses AM and PM, military time eliminates confusion by using a continuous 24-hour format.

Why Use Military Time?

  • Eliminates Ambiguity: No confusion between AM and PM
  • International Standard: Used globally in aviation, shipping, and military operations
  • Professional Fields: Common in healthcare, emergency services, and logistics
  • Precision: Reduces scheduling errors and miscommunication

How to Read Military Time

Quick Conversion Rules:

  • 00:00 - 00:59: 12:00 AM - 12:59 AM (midnight hour)
  • 01:00 - 11:59: Same as standard time with AM (1:00 AM - 11:59 AM)
  • 12:00 - 12:59: 12:00 PM - 12:59 PM (noon hour)
  • 13:00 - 23:59: Subtract 12 to get PM time (1:00 PM - 11:59 PM)

Common Military Time Examples

Morning Hours

  • 06:00 = 6:00 AM (Wake up time)
  • 07:30 = 7:30 AM (Breakfast)
  • 09:00 = 9:00 AM (Work starts)

Evening Hours

  • 17:00 = 5:00 PM (End of work)
  • 18:30 = 6:30 PM (Dinner time)
  • 22:00 = 10:00 PM (Bedtime)

Military Time vs. 24-Hour Time vs. Zulu Time

TypeFormatUsage
Military Time0000 - 2359 (no colon)US Military, Emergency Services
24-Hour Time00:00 - 23:59 (with colon)International Standard, Most Countries
Zulu Time00:00Z - 23:59Z (UTC)Aviation, Global Coordination

What is Zulu Time?

Zulu Time (indicated by the letter "Z") is the military and aviation designation for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). It's used as a global time standard to avoid confusion across time zones.

Key Facts About Zulu Time:

  • Same as UTC/GMT: Zulu Time = UTC = GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
  • No Daylight Saving: Zulu Time never changes for DST
  • Written Format: 1200Z or 12:00Z (the "Z" stands for "Zero" meridian)
  • Spoken Format: "Twelve hundred Zulu" or "Twelve hundred hours Zulu"

Common Zulu Time Conversions:

From Zulu to US Time Zones:

  • 1200Z = 08:00 EDT (UTC-4)
  • 1200Z = 07:00 EST (UTC-5)
  • 1200Z = 05:00 PST (UTC-8)
  • 1200Z = 04:00 PDT (UTC-7)

Who Uses Zulu Time:

  • • Aviation (all flight plans)
  • • Military operations
  • • Maritime navigation
  • • International broadcasting
  • • Weather services

Tips for Learning Military Time

  1. Start with noon: Remember that 12:00 PM = 12:00 in military time
  2. Add 12 for PM: For any PM time after 12:59, add 12 to the hour
  3. Practice with common times: Focus on times you use daily
  4. Use this converter: Practice converting times until it becomes natural
  5. Set your devices: Try using 24-hour format on your phone or computer

Military Time Conversion Chart

Military TimeStandard Time
00:0012:00 AM
01:001:00 AM
02:002:00 AM
03:003:00 AM
04:004:00 AM
05:005:00 AM
06:006:00 AM
07:007:00 AM
08:008:00 AM
09:009:00 AM
10:0010:00 AM
11:0011:00 AM
12:0012:00 PM
13:001:00 PM
14:002:00 PM
15:003:00 PM
16:004:00 PM
17:005:00 PM
18:006:00 PM
19:007:00 PM
20:008:00 PM
21:009:00 PM
22:0010:00 PM
23:0011:00 PM

How to Read Military Time:

  • • 00:00 to 11:59 = AM hours (midnight to noon)
  • • 12:00 to 23:59 = PM hours (noon to midnight)
  • • Subtract 12 from any hour after 12:00 to get PM time
  • • Military time is also called 24-hour time