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Read clocks to the minute

Reading a clock to the minute means interpreting the hour hand and minute hand in relation to the clock’s 12-hour cycle: each of the 60 minute marks represents one minute, while the hour hand advances between numerals as minutes pass. The time can be represented in analog and digital notation, with attention to the hour indicated by the hour hand rather than merely the numeral it is nearest; seconds, 24-hour notation, and elapsed-time calculations are outside this scope.

Detailed Explanation: Read clocks to the minute

Look at the two hands on the clock:

  • The short hand is the hour hand.
  • The long hand is the minute hand.
  • Each small mark around the clock stands for 1 minute.
  • Each number stands for 5 minutes when you count around from 12:
    • 12 = 0 minutes
    • 1 = 5 minutes
    • 2 = 10 minutes
    • 3 = 15 minutes, and so on.

Example

Suppose the long hand points to the 7, and the short hand is between 3 and 4.

  1. Read the minute hand first.
    The long hand points to 7. Since each number is 5 minutes:
7×5=357 \times 5 = 35

So, the minutes are 35.

  1. Read the hour hand.
    The short hand is between 3 and 4. It has passed 3, so the hour is 3, not 4.

  2. Put the hour and minutes together.
    The time is:

3:35\boxed{3{:}35}

Remember: The hour hand moves as the minutes pass, so it may be between two numbers. Use the number it has already passed.

Learn by doing: Read clocks to the minute

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    Time - Telling - Minute Hand to Minute

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