Windows 11 can display the clock in either 12-hour time with AM and PM or 24-hour time. The most reliable way to change the format is through the Region settings in Control Panel.
How to Change the Time Format in Windows 11
Use Settings to Change the Time Format
For most people, the quickest route is the Windows 11 Settings app:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Time & language.
- Choose Language & region.
- Expand Regional format and select Change formats.
- Use Short time to choose the clock style you want.
- Adjust Long time too if you want long-form times to use the same 12-hour or 24-hour style.
A 12-hour choice shows AM or PM. A 24-hour choice uses hours from 00 through 23 and does not need an AM/PM indicator.
Use Control Panel for Exact Time Formats
Control Panel is useful when you want to select an exact format such as h:mm tt or HH:mm.
- Open Control Panel.
- Select Clock and Region.
- Click Change date, time, or number formats.
- On the Formats tab, open the Short time menu.
- Choose a 12-hour format such as h:mm tt, or choose HH:mm for 24-hour time.
- If you want the same style when seconds are displayed, change Long time to h:mm:ss tt for 12-hour time or HH:mm:ss for 24-hour time.
- Click Apply, then OK.
The taskbar clock should use the new format after you apply the change. You normally do not need to restart the computer.
12-Hour vs. 24-Hour Time
A 12-hour clock divides the day into AM and PM. For example, 6:30 in the evening appears as 6:30 PM. A 24-hour clock counts from 00 through 23, so the same time appears as 18:30.
If you specifically want AM and PM, follow our dedicated guide to setting a 12-hour clock in Windows 11. If you prefer military-style time or want to avoid ambiguity between morning and evening, see how to set 24-hour time in Windows 11.
What Short Time and Long Time Mean
Short time controls the compact time format Windows commonly uses in places such as the taskbar. Long time includes seconds and may be used by Windows or apps where a more detailed time is shown.
Changing both settings keeps the format consistent. For 12-hour time, use h:mm tt and h:mm:ss tt. For 24-hour time, use HH:mm and HH:mm:ss.
In these patterns, lowercase h represents a 12-hour clock, uppercase H represents a 24-hour clock, mm represents minutes, ss represents seconds, and tt adds the AM/PM designator. Two hour characters can also produce a leading zero where that format is available.
This Does Not Change the Actual Time
The time format only changes how the clock is displayed. It does not change the current hour, your time zone, daylight-saving settings, or whether Windows synchronizes its clock automatically.
If the clock is showing the wrong actual time, go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time instead. That area controls the system clock and time zone.
If the Windows 11 Clock Format Does Not Change
First, reopen the Region window and confirm that the desired values are still selected under Short time and Long time. If they are, close and reopen the app where the old format is still appearing.
Some programs use their own date and time preferences rather than the Windows regional format, so changing Windows does not guarantee that every application will immediately use the same clock style.
Can I Change Only the Taskbar Clock?
Windows treats the clock format as a regional setting rather than a taskbar-only preference. Changing Short time can therefore affect other Windows components and programs that follow the system regional settings.
Summary
To change the time format in Windows 11, open Control Panel, choose Clock and Region, select Change date, time, or number formats, and then choose the desired Short time and Long time values. Use a format with AM/PM for a 12-hour clock or HH:mm for a 24-hour clock.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
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