Reading the clock is a skill that is easy to master in no time and effort. Analog clocks are divided into circles and reading the long and short hands will help you tell the time. For digital clocks, you simply read the hours and minutes. Reading the hours from 1 to 12 and the hours from 1 to 24 can sometimes be confusing. However, you can understand it with a little effort. With practice, you can read the clock easily.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Reading the Analog Clock
Step 1. Learn the division of hours
The clock is divided into 12 parts. At the top, you'll see the number "12". To the right of "12", you can see the number "1". If you follow the numbers, move to the right or "clockwise", the clock will move from "1" to "12".
- The number that marks each section is the hour.
- The part between the numbers is divided into segments per 5 minutes. Sometimes, there are small lines throughout the clock dividing these segments.
Step 2. Use the short hand to read the clock
The clock has 2 hours: the short hand and the long hand. The short hand shows the hour. The number pointed to by the short hand indicates the hour at that time.
For example, if the short hand shows "1", it means it's 1 o'clock
Step 3. Use the long hand to read the minutes
Read the number pointed to by the long hand, then multiply by 5 to find the minutes. When the long hand points to the number "12", it means that it shows exactly at that hour. If the long hand is on another number, read the number, then add it to the minutes (hour times 5). For example:
- If the long hand points to the number "3", it means more than 15 minutes.
- If the long hand is pointing at the number "12", it means exactly at that hour. Read the number indicated by the short hand.
- If the long hand is between the numbers "1" and "2," note the small line it points to. For example, if you point to the third small line after the number "1", it means 8 minutes more than the hour. (1 x 5 + number of small lines).
Step 4. Read the clock after knowing the numbers the long and short hands are pointing at
Once you know the hours and minutes, you know what time it is. For example:
- If the short hand is pointing to the number "1" and the long hand is pointing to the number "12", it means it is "one right".
- If the short hand is pointing to the number "1" and the long hand is pointing to the number "2", it means the hour is "one ten" or "ten minutes past one o'clock".
- If the short hand is pointing at "1" and the long hand is halfway between the numbers "2" and "3", it means it is about "one twelve" or "twelve minutes past one o'clock".
Step 5. On the reading of the hour in English, distinguish between AM and PM
You can't tell AM or PM by reading the clock alone. You must know the time of day. From midnight to 12 noon the next day is AM. From 12 noon to midnight is PM.
For example, if it's morning and the short hand is pointing at "9" and the long hand is pointing at "12", it means it's 9 am or 9 AM
Method 2 of 3: Reading the Digital Clock
Step 1. Read the first number to determine the hour
The digital clock is divided into 2 numbers separated by a colon. The first digit on the digital clock indicates the hour.
For example, if the first digit is "2", it means it's 2 o'clock
Step 2. Read the second number to find the minutes
The second digit on the digital clock, which is after the colon, indicates the minutes more than the hour.
For example, if it reads "11", it means that the current hour is 11 minutes over
Step 3. Read the clock
Once you know the two numbers, you can of course know the hour. If the clock reads "02:11", it means it's "two eleven" or "eleven minutes past two."
Step 4. Determine if it is AM or PM
Some digital clocks display an indication of whether it is AM or PM on their screen. If there is no such sign, remember the time. It's AM if it falls between midnight and 12 noon. There's even a time when it's PM if it falls between 12 noon and midnight.
Method 3 of 3: Dealing with Clock Variations
Step 1. Learn roman numerals
Some clocks use roman numerals, so it's best to understand roman numerals from 1 to 12. The symbol "I" means 1, the symbol "V" means 5, and the symbol "X" means 10. If a symbol appears in front of another symbol, it means it is subtract the value of the number behind it. If a symbol appears after the next symbol, it increments the value of the previous number.
- 1 to 3 is written as "I, II, III".
- 4 is written "IV". The "I" symbol subtracts 1 from the "V" symbol (which represents the number 5), which is added to the number 5.
- 5 is indicated by the symbol "V" and the next number to 10 is indicated by adding the symbol "I". The symbol "VI" is read 6, "VII" means 7, and so on.
- The 10 symbols are "X". Eleven and 12 are marked by adding to the "X" symbol.
- 11 is written "XI" and 12 is written "XII".
Step 2. Read the hours without the numbers
Not all hours have numbers. There are clocks that use symbols to mark numbers. Starting from the top number of the hour, it marks the number 12. Then, move to the right and count "1, 2, 3, 4…" and so on. This will help you determine what time each symbol is showing.
Step 3. Not to be confused with digital clocks showing the numbers 1 to 24
There are digital clocks that show the numbers 1 to 24. However, to learn them is not difficult.
- After 12 noon, the clock will show the number 13 and so on to show the hour. The number 13 means 1 o'clock in the afternoon, the number 14 means 2 o'clock, and so on until the number 24 means 12 midnight.
- After the clock shows the number 24, the clock will return to showing the number 1 and so on until 12. Number 1 means 1 o'clock in the morning, number 2 means 2 o'clock in the morning, and so on until 12 noon.
