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How to convert military time to 12-hour format in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=TEXT(A2/24,"hh:mm AM/PM")✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Military Time |
| 1430 |
| 0945 |
| 2359 |
| 0000 |
=TEXT(A2/24,"hh:mm AM/PM")→02:00 PM
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Sample data — click any cell to edit
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Step by step
- 1Enter your military time in a cell (e.g., 1430 for 2:30 PM).
- 2In another cell, use the formula provided to convert the military time to 12-hour format.
- 3Format the cell containing the formula as text if necessary.
Tips
- Ensure your military time is entered as a number without colons (e.g., 1430 instead of 14:30).
- The formula divides by 24 because Excel and Google Sheets interpret numbers as fractions of a day.
- Check your locale settings if the AM/PM format does not display correctly.
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Frequently asked
What if my military time includes minutes?
Enter the time as a four-digit number (e.g., 1430 for 2:30 PM) and use the same formula.
Can I convert times directly from a colon-separated format?
Yes, but first remove the colon or replace it with nothing using a formula like SUBSTITUTE(A2,":","") before applying the conversion formula.
Why does the formula divide by 24?
Excel and Google Sheets treat dates and times as numbers, where one represents a full day. Dividing by 24 converts the hours into a fraction of a day.