Most digital clocks switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time in the settings menu

The exact steps depend on your clock model, but nearly all digital clocks have a settings or menu button that lets you toggle between 24-hour (military) time and 12-hour time with AM/PM. On some clocks this takes two button presses; on others you navigate through a settings screen. The change usually sticks permanently once you confirm it, so you will not have to reset it each time you turn the clock on.

If your clock has a physical button labeled "Mode," "Menu," "Set," or "Settings," that is almost always your entry point. If it has a touchscreen, look for a gear icon or a settings option in the main display. Some older or simpler models may not offer this choice at all—if your clock only shows time in one format, the hardware does not support switching.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the settings or menu button until the display changes or a menu appears on screen.
  • Look for an option labeled "Time Format," "12/24 Hour," "Clock Mode," or similar wording in the menu.
  • Use the up/down arrow buttons or touchscreen to select 12-hour format, then press confirm or wait for the change to save.
  • If your clock has no settings button or menu option, it may only support one time format and cannot be changed.
  • After switching formats, check that the time displays correctly and that AM/PM appears (or disappears) as expected.

Finding the settings button on your clock

Look at the back, bottom, or sides of your clock for a small button. Common labels are "Mode," "Menu," "Set," "Settings," or "Adjust." On battery-powered bedside clocks, this button is often on the back panel. On plug-in clocks, it may be on the side or bottom edge. Some clocks have multiple buttons—if one says "Hour" or "Minute," that is for manual time adjustment, not settings.

If your clock has a touchscreen or digital display panel, swipe or tap the screen to see if a menu appears. Many modern clocks show a settings icon (usually a gear) on the home screen. Tap that icon to enter the settings menu. If you cannot find any button or touch area after checking all sides, your clock model may not have a time format setting available.

Navigating the settings menu to find time format

Once you press the settings button, the display will either show a menu on screen or cycle through options. If options cycle through, press the button repeatedly until you see text that says "Time Format," "12/24 Hour," "Hour Format," "Clock Mode," or "Display Mode." The exact wording varies by manufacturer.

If a menu appears on screen, use the arrow buttons (up, down, left, right) or touchscreen to scroll through the options. Look for anything mentioning hours or time display. Once you find the time format option, the display will usually show two choices: "12H" or "12-hour" on one side, and "24H" or "24-hour" on the other. Highlight or tap the 12-hour option.

Selecting 12-hour format and confirming the change

After you highlight or select the 12-hour option, press the button labeled "OK," "Confirm," "Enter," or "Select." Some clocks save the change automatically after a few seconds of no button presses. Others require you to press a confirm button explicitly. If the display returns to the normal time view and now shows AM or PM next to the time, the change was successful.

If the time still shows in 24-hour format (for example, 14:30 instead of 2:30 PM), the change did not take. Return to the settings menu and repeat the steps, making sure you selected the 12-hour option and pressed confirm. If the menu does not respond or the option does not appear, your clock model may not support 12-hour display.

What to do if your clock does not have a time format setting

Some basic digital clocks, especially older models or very inexpensive ones, only display time in one format and do not offer a way to change it. If you have checked all buttons and the settings menu and found no time format option, your clock is likely one of these. In that case, you cannot change the display format without replacing the clock.

If you need a 12-hour clock, look for a new model that explicitly lists "12-hour and 24-hour display" or "switchable time format" in the product description. Most modern digital clocks sold in North America and Europe default to 12-hour format with AM/PM, so a replacement is usually straightforward to find.

Common mistakes that prevent the change from working

The most frequent error is pressing the settings button once and expecting a menu to appear. Many clocks require you to hold the button for two to three seconds before anything happens. If you tap it quickly, nothing will occur. Try pressing and holding the button until the display changes or flashes.

Another common mistake is selecting the wrong option in the menu. If you see "24H" and "12H" side by side, make sure you are highlighting or tapping the "12H" option, not the "24H" one. Some menus use arrow buttons to move between options—if you press the wrong arrow, you may select the opposite format by accident. After you make your choice, always press the confirm button to save it; otherwise, the clock will revert to the previous setting when you exit the menu.

Checking that the change worked correctly

After you switch to 12-hour format, the time should display with AM or PM. For example, if it was showing 14:30 in 24-hour format, it should now show 2:30 PM. If it shows 2:30 without AM or PM, the format may have changed but the AM/PM display is turned off separately. Return to settings and look for an option to turn on the AM/PM indicator.

If the time now shows an incorrect hour (for example, 2:30 PM when it should be 2:30 AM), the clock may have a separate AM/PM setting that needs adjustment. Check the settings menu again for an option labeled "AM/PM," "Meridiem," or "Day/Night." Some clocks also let you set whether AM or PM is displayed by default, which can cause confusion if set incorrectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the time format erase my alarms or other settings?

No. Switching between 12-hour and 24-hour format only changes how the time is displayed, not the underlying time data or other clock settings. Your alarms, date, and other preferences will remain unchanged. The time itself stays the same—only the way it appears on screen is different.

What if I accidentally switched to 24-hour format and want to go back?

Follow the same steps: press and hold the settings button, find the time format option, select 12-hour, and confirm. The process is identical whether you are switching from 24-hour to 12-hour or the other way around. You can change it back and forth as many times as you want.

Does the time format setting work the same way on all digital clocks?

The general process is similar on most clocks, but button names and menu layouts vary by brand and model. Some clocks use a single "Mode" button, others use "Menu" or "Settings." If the standard steps do not work, check your clock's instruction manual or look up the model number online to find the specific steps for your clock.

Can I change the time format on a digital clock in my car or microwave?

Many car clocks and microwave clocks do support 12-hour and 24-hour formats, but the steps are often different from bedside clocks. Car clocks usually have a settings menu accessed through the dashboard display or a dedicated button. Microwave clocks typically use the same buttons you use to set the time. Check your vehicle or appliance manual for the exact procedure, as the button sequence can be very different.

Why does my clock show the wrong AM or PM even after I switched to 12-hour format?

The clock may have the correct time but the AM/PM setting is incorrect, or the clock's internal time was set wrong to begin with. Go back to the time-setting function (usually a separate menu from the format setting) and manually set the correct time, making sure to set AM or PM correctly. Then check that the format is still set to 12-hour.