In this activity, we will be learning to read the exact time on an analogue clock, using the position of the hands. 

 

Clocks have an hour hand and a minute hand (and sometimes a second hand)

The hour hand is shorter than the minute hand. 

 

Let's try an example question.

 

Example

What time is shown on this clock?

 

 

Answer

On this clock, the hour hand is shown in red. Remember that the hour hand is always the shorter one. 

The minute hand is longer, and on this clock it is green.

 

This time can be read in several ways...
 

The hour hand is between the 2 and 3, but it is a little closer to the 3.

So we know that the time is after 2 o'clock but before 3 o'clock.
 

The minute hand is pointing exactly at the 7. 

Remember that an hour is made up of 60 minutes. 

Each number on the clock face represents 5 minutes, so the 7 represents 35 minutes past the last hour or 25 minutes to the next hour. 

 

The most common ways to write the time shown are:

2:35 or twenty-five to three.

 

You might also say 35 minutes past 2 but it would not be usual!

 

 

Now it's time to try some questions yourself!