How to Write Time in Numerals and Words
Summary
Use numerals or figures with a.m. and p.m.
- 6 a.m.
- 3:30 p.m.
Also use numerals to show time on the 24-hour clock.
- 0600 hours
- 15:30
With o’clock, you may use either numerals or words to indicate time.
- three o’clock or 3 o’clock
Write numbers in words to refer to quarter, half, and whole hours.
- a quarter to six
- half past three
If specifying the exact time is not important, words are generally used in running text (e.g., in creative writing) to indicate time on the clock.
- Anita works at a supermarket from nine to five on weekends.
- She called me at three thirty.
In informal communication, such as in text messages, numerals may be used instead.
- She works from 9 to 5 every day.
- I’ll leave at 3:30.
Time references
Time may be shown using a.m. and p.m., o’clock, or quarter, half, and whole hours.
- Our bus leaves Belgrade at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
- From 3 to 4 a.m., Poco practices playing the banjo.
- We break for lunch at one o’clock on weekdays.
- At a quarter to two, the parcel finally arrived.
- The show was over by half past six.
- Either ten thirty or three o’clock today works for me.
The 24-hour system is also used in some countries and settings to indicate exact time.
- At 0130 hours, the alarm sounded.
- Departure is at 13:35 today.
- Nesbit’s strange journey began at 1115 hours and ended at 1543 hours today.
- The train departs from Vancouver at 15:00 on Tuesday and arrives at Toronto four days later.
Use a.m. and p.m. when it’s important to indicate exact time.
- It was 11 p.m., and we still hadn’t reached the farmhouse.
- From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. every day, Lulu switches off her phone and takes a nap.
- Life starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
When to use numerals
Always use numerals, not words, to indicate time with a.m. and p.m.
- Our flight is at
five a.m./ 5 a.m. tomorrow morning. - Anita worked on her report from
two to four p.m./ 2 to 4 p.m. - At
nine thirty p.m./ 9:30 p.m., the phone rang.
Also use figures rather than words to indicate time on the 24-hour clock (often called military time in the United States). The 24-hour system is preferred in military, hospital, and transit settings.
- Report for duty at
twenty-one thirty/ 2130 hours. - We launched a satellite into orbit at
fourteen thirty/ 14:30 today. - Boarding starts at
fourteen twenty-five/ 14:25.
With o’clock, you may use either numerals or words. Style guides differ in their recommendations. The Chicago Manual of Style suggests using words; the AP Stylebook prefers numerals.
- It’s almost 9 o’clock, and Farley still isn’t ready.
orIt’s almost nine o’clock, and Farley still isn’t ready.
In informal writing as well, numerals are often used (although you may use words). Using a.m. and p.m. is optional in casual communication, since it is often clear from context which part of the day is being referred to.
- Hey, I’ll be there by 2:30.
- We woke up at 5:45 to a beautiful winter morning.
- Let’s meet at 11:30 then.
When to use words
Use words for numbers when referring to quarter, half, and whole hours in running text.
- At half past one, we break for lunch.
- Sunset is at a quarter past six today.
- It’s a quarter to two, and Rita still isn’t here.
- The movie starts at seven.
- Farley’s car broke down at six this morning.
When o’clock is used to refer to whole hours, either numerals or words are used. Stay consistent in usage.
- It’s ten o’clock already!
or 10 o’clock
- Maya woke up at six o’clock today.
- From two to three o’clock, Nesbit takes a nap.
In informal and creative writing, where exact time need not be emphasized, the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. are often omitted. Words rather than numerals are then used to refer to time.
- It was two twenty-five on a hot summer afternoon when a man with a battered green hat appeared at our door.
- At two thirty the siren sounded, and the party was over.
- From nine to eleven, we watched for warblers.
Formality
In formal writing (reports, theses, official emails, etc.), prefer to use numerals with a.m. and p.m. to refer to time.
- The interviews took place from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. on June 23, 1973.
- Please submit your application by 4 p.m. today to avoid being disqualified.
- We checked the sensors again at 6:17 a.m.
In creative and informal writing, words are generally preferred.
- It was two in the afternoon when Rita suddenly woke up.
- We waited for her until two thirty, and then left.
- At a quarter past seven every morning, Minerva Dash eats a muffin.
In informal communication (e.g., text messages), simply using numerals suffices when context makes it clear whether it’s a.m. or p.m.
- Woke up at 5:30 with a splitting headache.
- My flight is at 2 and I’m not even packed!
Consistency
How we write time is a matter of style rather than grammar. While writing or editing a document, ensure consistency in usage. If you use numerals in one time reference, use them for all references within that context. Similarly, stay consistent in using a.m. or p.m., o’clock, or the 24-hour clock in your document.
- Poor: We worked from 2 o’clock to 4 p.m.
Better: We worked from 2 to 4 p.m.
Better: We worked from two to four o’clock. - Poor: At 4, the phone rang. At four thirty, it rang again.
Better: At four, the phone rang. At four thirty, it rang again.
Poor: The train departs from Yerevan at nine in the morning and reaches Tbilisi at 17:30.
Better: The train departs from Yerevan at 09:00 and reaches Tbilisi at 17:30.
Better: The train departs from Yerevan at nine in the morning and reaches Tbilisi at five thirty the same day.