Read an Analog Clock to the Hour

Read the hour on an analog clock

1. Find the minute hand first.
   For reading to the hour, the minute hand should point to 12. That means there are 0 minutes past the hour.

2. Identify the hour hand.
   The shorter hand tells the hour. Read the number it points to, or the number it has just passed if it is slightly after that hour.

3. State the time clearly.
   If the minute hand is on 12, write the time as the hour o’clock. For example, if the hour hand points to 3, the time is 3:00 or 3 o’clock.

4. Check your answer.
   Make sure the minute hand is really on 12. If it is not, the time is not exactly on the hour.

Quick check

• Minute hand on 12 → :00
• Hour hand on 7 → 7 o’clock

When solving these exercises, focus on both hands: the minute hand tells whether the time is exact, and the hour hand gives the hour itself.