What time is 12PM? What time is 12AM? What are AM and PM?

Many of you still mix up between 12PM and 12AM when checking the time on digital clocks. In this article, Software Tips helps you know what time 12PM, 12AM are and differentiate between AM – PM when reading the time.

1. What time is 12PM? What time is 12AM?

Before explaining 12PM and 12AM in English, we need to know some basic information as follows:

• PM (Post Meridiem): Indicates the time after noon, meaning the period from 12:00 PM to 11:59 PM.
• AM (Ante Meridiem): Indicates the time before noon, meaning from 12:00 AM midnight to 11:59 AM.

Drawing from English terminology regarding PM and AM in clock hours, we can discern the following:

• 12AM is used to denote 12 midnight, also known as 24:00 or 0:00, signifying the transition to a new day.
• 12PM is used to denote 12 noon.

2. Is 12 midnight PM or AM? Is 12 noon PM or AM?

Many individuals, when first using modern technology devices, often encounter the PM and AM characters, leading to confusion and difficulty in reading the time. However, understanding the terms PM and AM will help you read everything quickly.

• 12 midnight – 12AM
• 12 noon – 12PM
• 12:30 AM – 12:30 AM
• 12:30 PM – 12:30 PM

You can grasp a simple understanding of AM and PM as follows:

• AM: Used for morning time, from 00:00 to 12:00.
• PM: Used for afternoon time, from 12:00:01 to 23:59:59.

3. Why do we have 12 PM and 12 AM?

Currently, two types of clocks are prevalent worldwide: the 12-hour clock and the 24-hour clock. The 12-hour clock only features 12 distinct numbers, hence the need for AM and PM to differentiate between morning and evening hours. Due to the development of the 12-hour clock, AM and PM were introduced to aid quicker distinction. If you're unfamiliar with the 12-hour and 24-hour clocks, check out the section below:

In this article, Software Tips has provided you with a better understanding of 12 PM and 12 AM within the global 12-hour clock standard. Have a great day!