How-to
How to Read Military Time Fast: 5 Mental Tricks
5 mental shortcuts to read military time instantly: the minus-2 trick for 13–19, plus-8 for 20–23, anchor times, the 1200 shortcut and practice drills, with a cheat sheet.
By Free Military Time Calculator Team ·
The fastest way to read a military time from 1300 to 1959 is to take the second digit of the hour and subtract 2: 1700 → 7 − 2 = 5 PM. For 2000 to 2359, add 8 to the second digit: 2100 → 1 + 8 = 9 PM. These two tricks replace “subtract 12” with one-digit math.
Trick 1: Minus 2 for 13 to 19
Look at the second digit of the hour and subtract 2.
| Military | Second digit − 2 | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 13xx | 3 − 2 = 1 | 1 PM |
| 15xx | 5 − 2 = 3 | 3 PM |
| 17xx | 7 − 2 = 5 | 5 PM |
| 19xx | 9 − 2 = 7 | 7 PM |
Trick 2: Plus 8 for 20 to 23
Look at the second digit of the hour and add 8.
| Military | Second digit + 8 | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 20xx | 0 + 8 = 8 | 8 PM |
| 21xx | 1 + 8 = 9 | 9 PM |
| 22xx | 2 + 8 = 10 | 10 PM |
| 23xx | 3 + 8 = 11 | 11 PM |
Both tricks are the same as subtracting 12, done in a way that is quicker in your head.
Trick 3: Learn 4 Anchor Times
Memorize 4 times and count from the nearest one:
- 0000 = midnight
- 0600 = 6 AM
- 1200 = noon
- 1800 = 6 PM
1945 is 1 hour 45 minutes after 1800 (6 PM), so it is 7:45 PM.
Trick 4: The 1200 Shortcut
Subtract 1200 from any time above 1259 as a plain number: 1645 − 1200 = 445 → 4:45 PM. Do not use it for 1200 to 1259, which stay 12-something PM.
Trick 5: Morning Times Need No Math
From 0100 to 1159, drop the leading zero and say AM: 0815 is 8:15 AM, 1130 is 11:30 AM. Only hour 00 changes, to 12 AM.
Cheat Sheet
| Hours | Do this |
|---|---|
| 00 | 12 AM |
| 01–11 | Drop the zero, AM |
| 12 | Keep 12, PM |
| 13–19 | Second digit − 2, PM |
| 20–23 | Second digit + 8, PM |
1-Minute Drill
Read these aloud as fast as you can: 1400, 2100, 0630, 1750, 2245, 1205, 0010, 1915. Answers: 2 PM, 9 PM, 6:30 AM, 5:50 PM, 10:45 PM, 12:05 PM, 12:10 AM, 7:15 PM.
Test yourself further with the practice worksheet or check any time with the military time converter.