You can switch Windows 11 to a 12-hour clock so that times appear with AM and PM instead of using 00 through 23. The setting is available in the Region options in Control Panel.
How to Set a 12-Hour Clock in Windows 11
How to Change to 12-Hour Time Through Settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Time & language.
- Choose Language & region.
- Expand Regional format, then select Change formats.
- Open Short time and choose a format that shows AM and PM.
- Change Long time to an AM/PM option as well if you want the same style when seconds are displayed.
The change should appear immediately. You do not need to change the time zone or turn automatic time off.
Use Control Panel as an Alternative
Control Panel gives you direct access to the exact Short time and Long time patterns.
- Open Control Panel.
- Choose Clock and Region.
- Select Change date, time, or number formats.
- On the Formats tab, set Short time to h:mm tt.
- Set Long time to h:mm:ss tt if you also want long-form times to use AM and PM.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Windows should now display times such as 9:30 AM and 6:15 PM instead of 09:30 and 18:15.
Why the AM or PM Letters Matter
The tt portion of the format tells Windows to display the AM or PM designator. Without it, a 12-hour value can be ambiguous because 7:00 could mean morning or evening.
Short Time vs. Long Time
Short time is the compact version that Windows commonly uses for the taskbar clock and similar displays. Long time includes seconds. Setting both to 12-hour versions helps keep the display consistent across Windows and programs that follow the system regional settings.
What If Windows Still Shows 24-Hour Time?
Return to the Region window and make sure Short time is set to a format that includes the AM/PM designator. Then close and reopen any application that still shows the old format. Some applications have their own clock-format preferences and may not follow Windows automatically.
Changing the Format Does Not Change the Clock
This procedure changes only the way Windows displays time. If the actual hour or time zone is wrong, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time and correct the clock or time-zone settings there.
Summary
To use a 12-hour clock in Windows 11, open Control Panel > Clock and Region > Change date, time, or number formats, then select a 12-hour Short time format with AM and PM. You can also choose the matching Long time format if you want seconds displayed in the same style.
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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