Military time, used by the armed forces, aviation, and emergency services, relies on a 24-hour clock.
So, what does 1730 military time actually mean? This article will break it down, showing you how to convert it to standard time. In the usual 12-hour clock, 1730 is 5:30 PM. Using the 24-hour clock notation, it’s 17:30.
Understanding 1730 Military Time
Military time is a way of telling time that uses all 24 hours of the day, numbered from 0000 to 2359. You might hear it called “military time,” “24-hour time,” or “international time.”
With military time, you don’t use colons or the abbreviations “a.m.” or “p.m.”
So, what does 1730 mean? In standard time, 1730 is 5:30 p.m. Any military time higher than 1200 is in the afternoon or evening.
How to convert 1730 military time to standard time
Converting from military time is easy. If the time is greater than 1200, subtract 1200. For example:
1730 – 1200 = 530
The result is the standard time. Add “PM” to the end.
So, 1730 military time is 5:30 PM.
If the time is less than 1200 (like 0530), it’s an AM time.
How do I convert 5:30 PM to military time?
To convert from standard time to military time, add 1200 to any PM time. So, to convert 5:30 PM, add 1200 to 530.
1200 + 530 = 1730
Then, lose the colon and the PM. So, 5:30 PM becomes 1730 in military time.
For AM times, you only need to add a zero in front of the hour. For example, 5:30 AM is 0530 in military time.
How to pronounce 1730 in military time
Military time is usually pretty straightforward. To say 1730, you would say “seventeen thirty.” You can also add “hours” to the end if you want to be extremely clear. So, “seventeen thirty hours” is also correct.
Conclusion
So, 1730 military time is the same as 5:30 PM. You can convert from standard to military time by adding 1200, and you can go the other way by subtracting 1200.
For people in the military, law enforcement, healthcare, and other professions, knowing how to use military time is key to clear communication and coordinated action.