Knowing how to calculate time is a fundamental skill, especially if you need to schedule events, set reminders, or just plan your day. Figuring out what time is 12 hours from now is easier than you might think. This article will walk you through a simple method to quickly determine the time 12 hours in the future.
Understanding the basics of time
12-Hour vs. 24-Hour Clocks
Most of us are used to seeing the time displayed on a 12-hour clock, where the hours count from 1 to 12 twice each day. To differentiate between the two halves of the day, we use the abbreviations AM (ante meridiem, meaning “before noon”) and PM (post meridiem, meaning “after noon”).
Many countries use the 24-hour clock, also known as military time. In this system, the hours count from 0 to 23. So, 1:00 PM on a 12-hour clock would be 13:00 on a 24-hour clock.
Defining “12 Hours”
It takes 24 hours for the earth to rotate once on its axis, which is what defines a day. We can think of a day as being made up of two 12-hour chunks.
How to calculate the time 12 hours from now
The easiest way to figure out what time it will be 12 hours from now is to add 12 to the current hour. You don’t need an app or a fancy watch to do it.
When you add 12 hours, that always means AM becomes PM, and PM becomes AM. Here are a few examples:
- If it’s 3:00 PM right now, then 12 hours from now it will be 3:00 AM.
- If it’s 9:00 AM right now, then 12 hours from now it will be 9:00 PM.
If the current time is close to midnight or noon, you’ll simply move to the next day. For example, if it’s 11:00 PM, adding 12 hours makes it 11:00 AM the next day.
Things to keep in mind
Calculating 12 hours from now is usually pretty straightforward, but here are some things to consider:
- Make sure you know the starting time. A small mistake at the beginning can throw off the whole calculation.
- Pay attention to AM and PM. This is the most common source of error.
- Remember the day might change. If you’re adding 12 hours to something in the evening, you’ll end up in the morning of the next day.
- Use a calculator if you need to. The math is simple, but a calculator can help you double-check, especially if you’re dealing with time zones or other complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is exactly 12 hours from now?
Whether it’s the same day or the next day depends entirely on the current time. If it’s before noon, then 12 hours from now will be later today. If it’s after noon, then 12 hours from now will be early tomorrow. Midnight marks the shift.
What is the time 12 hours from now?
To calculate the time 12 hours from now, simply add 12 hours to the current time. If the result is greater than 12 using a 12-hour clock, subtract 12 to get the corresponding PM time. If the result is less than 12, it’s an AM time.
For example, if it’s 2:00 PM now, 12 hours from now will be 2:00 AM. If it’s 8:00 AM now, 12 hours from now will be 8:00 PM.
What time is the 12th hour of the day?
The 12th hour of the day can be a bit confusing! In a 12-hour clock system, the 12th hour of the morning is 12:00 PM (noon). The 12th hour of the night is 12:00 AM (midnight). The exact moment depends on whether you’re referring to the morning or night half of the day.
The Bottom Line
Adding 12 hours to the current time is a simple way to figure out what time it will be later today or tomorrow.
When you do the math, pay attention to whether you need to switch from AM to PM (or vice versa) and whether the calculation puts you into the next day.
Knowing what time it will be 12 hours from now can be helpful for planning your day.