Is 12 noon AM or PM?
12 noon is 12 PM (12:00 in 24-hour time).
Noon is the middle of the day, when the morning (AM) ends and the afternoon begins. On a 12-hour clock the hour after 11:59 AM is 12:00 PM, so 12 noon is 12:00 PM, and 12:30 PM is half an hour after noon.
| Time | 12-hour | 24-hour |
|---|---|---|
| One minute before midnight | 11:59 PM | 23:59 |
| Midnight | 12:00 AM | 00:00 |
| Half past midnight | 12:30 AM | 00:30 |
| One minute before noon | 11:59 AM | 11:59 |
| Noon | 12:00 PM | 12:00 |
| Half past noon | 12:30 PM | 12:30 |
Questions people ask
Is it AM or PM at 12 noon?
12 PM. 12 noon is written 12:00 PM on a 12-hour clock and 12:00 on a 24-hour clock.
Why do people get 12 noon wrong?
Because 12 belongs to the half of the day that's just starting, not the one that's ending. Technically noon is neither "before" nor "after" midday, which is why many style guides write "12 noon" and "12 midnight" instead of 12 PM and 12 AM.
What time is midnight?
12:00 AM (00:00), the start of the day. See is midnight AM or PM.
How do I avoid confusion?
Write "12 noon" or "12 midnight", or use 24-hour time: noon is 12:00 and midnight is 00:00. For deadlines, "11:59 PM" is clearer than "12 AM".
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