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5.12 Representation of time in ordinary prose and with SI units

Except in descriptive text and in approximations, write the time of day in numerical form:

  • The program will be broadcast at 8:05 p.m.

but

  • He said that he would call after ten o’clock.

In a scientific or technical context, express precise measurements of elapsed time by means of the internationally recognized symbols of time d for day, h for hour, min for minute and s for second:

  • h 20 min flying time
  • The test run took 1 d 3 h 43 min 09 s precisely.

These symbols should also be used when units of time are expressed with SI units:

  • 16 km/d
  • 16 m/s
  • 10 J/h
  • 60 r/min

5.13 Representation of time of day

In documents presented in both official languages, and in all forms of international communication, it may be desirable to use the 24-hour system for representing time of day, in accordance with International Standard ISO 3307 and the Treasury Board Federal Identity Program Manual.

The hour is represented by a two-digit number ranging from 00 up to 23 (or 24), the minute and second are represented by a two-digit number ranging from 00 up to 59, and the colon is used as a separator between hour and minute and between minute and second, as illustrated:

24-hour representation

with seconds without seconds
00:15:00 00:15
08:00:00 08:00
12:00:00 12:00 (noon)
24:00:00 24:00 (midnight)
07:15:00 07:15
11:37:00 11:37
14:12:26 14:12

Note

The instant of midnight should be represented (when seconds are included) as either 24:00:00, the end of one day, or 00:00:00, the beginning of the next day, according to circumstances.