20:30 in 12-Hour Time
20:30 is 8:30 PM.
Written 2030 in military time and said “twenty thirty”. Going the other way, 8:30 PM is 20:30.
The 20:00 hour is the hour theatre curtains go up and evening flights leave.
24-hour clock
20:30
12-hour clock
8:30 PM
Said aloud: “twenty thirty” on the 24-hour clock, “half past eight in the evening” on the 12-hour one.
Why 20:30 converts the way it does
This is the half of the day that actually changes. From 13:00 to 23:00, subtract 12 to get the 12-hour hour and label it PM: 20 − 12 = 8, so 20:xx is 8:xx PM. Going the other way, add 12 to any PM hour except 12 PM itself.
The minutes are the same on both clocks — the :30 never moves — and 20:30 is in the evening, which is the information the AM/PM label is carrying.
Need this time to actually do something? Set an alarm for 8:30 PM, or use the timer to count a length of time instead of waiting for a clock time.
Common questions
What is 20:30 in 12-hour time?
20:30 is 8:30 PM. The minutes are unchanged; the hour is 20 − 12 = 8, and it takes PM.
What is 8:30 PM in 24-hour time?
8:30 PM is 20:30, written 2030 in military time.
How do you say 2030 out loud?
In military time it is said "twenty thirty". On a 12-hour clock the same moment is "half past eight in the evening".