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What Time Is 2030 Military Time & Other Essentials

Written by Everett Bledsoe / Fact checked by Brain Bartell

what time is 2030 military time

What time is 2030 military time? The answer you are looking for is 8:30 P.M in the 12-hour clock notation and 20:30 in the 24-hour clock notation.

But if you have the time (pun intended!), you can continue to find more relevant and useful information! We will tell you what military time is, why it is used, and how it is different from civilian time. Moreover, you can learn about how to tell it and convert it from civilian time and vice versa.

So, once you reach the end of the article, you should completely understand military time as a whole!

Defining Military Time

As you may have guessed from the name, military time is a time-telling system that the military uses. It has 24 hours but is notably different from the 24-hr civilian clock notation.

It does separate the hours and minutes with a colon. And compared to the 12-hour clock notation, it does not have A.M (Ante Meridiem) or P.M (Post Meridiem).

As you will find out later, military time is also read differently.

Purpose of Having Military Time

There are two key reasons why the military decided to have its own time-telling system. The first reason

There is one key reason why the military decided to have its own time-telling system: minimal ambiguity. It ensures that there is no confusion and little chance for military members to mess up.

  • It does not have P.M and A.M so military members do not mix up with the alphabet system used for time zone conversions.

“Alpha,” “Mike,” and “Papa” indicated by “A.” “M,” and “P,” are never misunderstood.

This is particularly important during radio communications, which can be cut off at random times because of poor transmissions. Military members will not have to second guess between 7 A time or 7 A.M, for instance.

Reading Military Time

2030-time

There are always 4 digits in total. The clock starts at 0000 and ends at 2400. The hours are represented by the first two digits and the minutes are represented by the last two digits.

1. Reading hours

Hours below 10 (meaning 1 to 9) is read with a “zero” first.

    • Note: If the setting is not too formal or diplomatic, an “oh” can be used instead of “zero.”

Hours above 10 (meaning 10 to 24) are read without the “zero” or “oh” in front.

2. Reading minutes

Minutes are read with an “hours” at the end or “hundred hours” if the minutes are 00.

3. Examples

Applying the rules above,

  • 0215 is              zero two fifteen hours                  or less-formally “oh two fifteen hours
  • 0200 is             zero two hundred hours                or less-formally “oh two hundred hours
  • 2015 is             twenty fifteen hours
  • 2000 is             twenty hundred hours

Converting Military Time

830-analog-clock

There is a rule you need to note when converting military:

  • If the hour is not lower than 1200, you need to subtract it with 1200. Then, you give it a “P.M.”
  • If the hour is lower than 1200, you give it an “A.M.”

Check this guide if you want to know what 1200 means in military time.

Next, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Split the four digits into hours and minutes (2 digits for hours and 2 for minutes).
  • Step 2: Check to see if the time is below 1200. Then, apply the rule we mentioned above.
  • Step 3: Leave the minutes the way they are.
  • Step 4: Divide the hours and minutes with a colon (:).
  • Step 5: Check that an “A.M” or “P.M” is added according to the rule above.

How About Converting Civilian Time to Military Time?

It’s easy: work in reverse.

  • Step 1: Determine if there is an “A.M” or “P.M.”

If it is greater than 1200, the original rule tells you to subtract 1200. But we need to work in reverse, so we add — and vice versa.

  • Step 2: Leave the minutes the way they are.
  • Step 3: Get rid of the “A.M” or “P.M” and the colon.
  • Step 4: Arrive at the converted time.

So, let’s now put what we have learned into practice.

What Is 2030 in Military Time?

Step 1: Split the four digits into hours and minutes (2 digits for hours and 2 for minutes).

So, 2030 becomes 20 30.

Step 2: Check to see if the time is below 1200. Then, apply the rule we mentioned above.

The time is not below 1200. Therefore, we subtract it with 1200. We get 830. Split form: 8 30.

Step 3: Leave the minutes the way they are.

The minutes are still 30.

Step 4: Divide the hours and minutes with a colon (:).

Adding in the colon, we get 8:30.

Step 5: Check that an “A.M” or “P.M” is added according to the rule above.

Since we subtracted using the rule, we add a “P.M.” The answer is 8:30 P.M.

8:30 P.M is in the 12-hour clock notation. If you want the 24-hour clock notation, you can convert it to get 20:30 time.

  • Note: The details are important in time conversions. Do not mistake our answer with 20:30 in 12 hour time or 20 30 P.M.

Let’s try the reverse process to convert 2030 to civilian time as well.

  • Step 1: The “P.M” indicates that the time is not below 1200. So, we are supposed to subtract it, but working in reverse, we add. 12 added to 8 is 20.
  • Step 2: The minutes are still 30.
  • Step 3: Get rid of the “P.M” and colon.
  • Step 4: Our answer is 2030.

Tools That Can Help

  • A conversion chart
  • A converter / calculator

Conclusion

Now, you know the answer to, “What time is 2030 military time?” It is 8:30 P.M in 12-hour clock notation and 20:30 in 24-hour clock notation. You should be able to explain the differences between military time and civilian time. And, reading and converting military time should no longer be difficult! With practice, you will ace everything in no time (pun intended again)!

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