TICK TOCK · LEARN TOGETHER

Half past, quarter past and quarter to explained

A full hour contains 60 minutes. Dividing the clock into halves and quarters helps children recognise common times without counting every minute mark.

Half past means 30 minutes past

Half of 60 is 30. The minute hand points to 6, halfway around the clock. At 3:30, say “half past three”. The hour hand sits halfway between 3 and 4. “Half past” names the hour that has already started.

Quarter past means 15 minutes past

A quarter of 60 is 15. The minute hand points to 3, a quarter of the way around. At 3:15, say “quarter past three”. The short hand has moved a little beyond 3.

Quarter to means 15 minutes until the next hour

At 3:45, the minute hand points to 9. There are 15 minutes left before 4:00, so say “quarter to four”. This can be tricky: the digital hour still reads 3, but “quarter to” names the next hour, 4.

Compare the three positions

• Minute hand at 3: quarter past, or :15.
• Minute hand at 6: half past, or :30.
• Minute hand at 9: quarter to the next hour, or :45.

Practise with one hour

Start at 3:00. Move to 3:15, then 3:30, then 3:45, and finally 4:00. Say each time and notice the hour hand moving gradually. Ask, “How many minutes until four?” at 3:45. If this is difficult, return to half past before trying quarter to again.

Try these times on the clock → · Next: Count minutes in fives