O'clock
The long hand points to 12 and the short hand points to 3.
3 o'clock
When the long hand points to 12, we say o'clock.
Year 1
Tell the time to the hour and half past the hour
Read simple analogue times, notice morning and night, and compare simple o'clock hours.
Lesson overview
Measurement
On an analogue clock, the long minute hand helps us know if it is o'clock or half past. When the long hand points to 12, it is o'clock. When the long hand points to 6, it is half past. The short hour hand shows which hour we are reading. We can also talk about times in the morning with am and times at night with pm, and we can compare two o'clock times to see how many hours apart they are.
Half past
The long hand points to 6 and the short hand is between 4 and 5.
half past 4
When the long hand points to 6, we say half past.
Another o'clock time
The long hand points to 12 and the short hand points to 7.
7 o'clock
Read the hour where the short hand points.
Morning and am
This clock shows 8 o'clock in the morning.
morning8 o'clock am
Morning time can be described as am.
Night and pm
This clock shows 8 o'clock at night.
night8 o'clock pm
Night time can be described as pm.
Compare 2 clocks
One clock shows 2 o'clock and one clock shows 5 o'clock.
Clock 1
2 o'clock
Difference
3 hours apart
Clock 2
5 o'clock
From 2 o'clock to 5 o'clock is 3 hours.
Worked example
The long hand points to 6 and the short hand is between 2 and 3. What is the time?
- Look at the long hand first.
- The long hand points to 6, so the time is half past.
- Now look at the short hand.
- The short hand is between 2 and 3, so it is half past 2.
Answer: half past 2
Round 1: Learn it
Look at the clock and choose the correct time.
Finish this round to unlock Round 2: Show you know it.
Question 1
What time does this clock show?
Question 2
What time does this clock show?
Question 3
Which hand tells us it is half past?
Question 4
What time does this clock show?
Question 5
What time does this clock show?
Question 6
Which time word fits this clock with the sun up?
morning
Question 7
How many hours apart are these 2 clocks?
Clock 1
3 o'clock
Difference
3 hours apart
Clock 2
6 o'clock
Common mistakes
These reminders help when reading simple clock times.
- Reading the long minute hand as the hour hand.
- Saying o'clock when the long hand points to 6.
- Choosing the next hour instead of the current hour for half past.
- Mixing up morning am and night pm.
Related topics
These connect closely to simple clock reading.
- Draw the hands on a clock face to show o'clock and half past.
- Sequence events in chronological order using everyday time language.