Understanding analog clocks: the hour and minute hands
An analog clock has two main hands. The hour hand is the shorter hand that points to the current hour. The minute hand is the longer hand that points to the minutes past the hour.
- When the hour hand points exactly to the 3 and the minute hand points to the 12, the time is 3:00 (three o'clock).
- When the hour hand is halfway between the 4 and 5, and the minute hand points to the 6, the time is 4:30.
The hour hand moves gradually between numbers as the minutes pass. It does not jump to the next number until the hour changes.
Reading minutes on the clock face
Each number on the clock represents 5 minutes. To find the minutes, count by fives from the 12, moving clockwise to where the minute hand points.
- Minute hand at 1 → 5 minutes past the hour.
- Minute hand at 4 → 4 x 5 = 20 minutes past the hour.
- Minute hand at 9 → 9 x 5 = 45 minutes past the hour.
Use counting by fives as a reliable strategy: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60.
Writing times in digital format
Digital time is written using numbers, a colon, and the labels "a.m." or "p.m." The format is hour:minute, followed by the time of day.
- Ten minutes past eight in the morning → 8:10 a.m.
- Half past two in the afternoon → 2:30 p.m.
- Five minutes to twelve at noon → 11:55 a.m.
Always use two digits for the minutes. For example, write 9:05, not 9:5. "a.m." is for times from midnight to noon, and "p.m." is for times from noon to midnight.
Telling time to the nearest minute
When the minute hand points between the numbers, you must count the individual small tick marks. Each tick mark represents one minute.
- If the minute hand points three tick marks past the 4 (which is 20 minutes), the time is 23 minutes past the hour.
- If the hour hand is just after 11 and the minute hand points to the tick mark for 47 minutes, the time is 11:47.
First, find the nearest five-minute mark by looking at the big numbers. Then, count the additional small tick marks one by one to get the exact minute.
Using language like "quarter past," "half past," and "quarter to"
These are common phrases that describe specific points in time relative to the hour.
- Quarter past means 15 minutes after the hour. (Example: 4:15 is "quarter past four.")
- Half past means 30 minutes after the hour. (Example: 7:30 is "half past seven.")
- Quarter to means 15 minutes before the next hour. (Example: 11:45 is "quarter to twelve.")
The word "quarter" refers to one-quarter of an hour, which is 15 minutes. "Half" refers to one-half of an hour, which is 30 minutes.