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Conversions
Enter a time to see all conversions and detailed explanations
Military Time • Zulu Time • Nautical Bells • Watch Systems
Welcome to the most comprehensive free time converter online! Convert between standard 12-hour time, military 24-hour time, Zulu time (UTC), nautical bells, and traditional ship watch systems. Perfect for military personnel, sailors, pilots, travelers, and anyone working across time zones.
How to use: Enter a time in either format (12-hour or 24-hour), or click "Use Current Time" to convert the current moment. Select your time zone for accurate Zulu time conversions. All conversions appear instantly with detailed explanations.
Enter a time to see all conversions and detailed explanations
Military time uses a 24-hour clock running from 0000 (midnight) to 2359 (one minute before midnight). Hours 0000-1159 are morning hours, while 1200-2359 are afternoon and evening hours.
Key conversions:
Pronounced as individual digits: 1430 is "fourteen thirty hours"
Zulu time is military/aviation terminology for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The letter Z comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet. It provides a universal time reference regardless of local time zones.
Why use Zulu time?
Always written with a Z suffix: 1430Z means 2:30 PM UTC
Nautical bells are a traditional maritime timekeeping method dating back to sailing ship days. Bells mark every half-hour during four-hour watches.
Bell pattern:
Bells are struck in pairs: 6 bells = "ding-ding, ding-ding, ding-ding"
Traditional naval watch systems divide the day into periods where different crew members are on duty. Each watch typically lasts four hours, except the dog watches.
Standard watches:
The two dog watches allow crew rotation so the same sailors don't always have the same watch.