How to explain match analogue and digital clocks: to the minute in time to your child. Example question
31 October 2026
Matching analogue and digital clocks to the minute can be tricky at first, especially when your child is learning to spot the exact time. This example question is designed to help children under 11 see how both types of clocks show the same moment, just in different ways.
Example question
Look at the analogue clock and the digital clock. Do they show the same time?
The analogue clock shows the hour hand just past 3 and the minute hand on 7.
The digital clock shows 3:35.
Step 1: Read the analogue clock
The minute hand is on 7. Each number on the clock is 5 minutes apart.
7 × 5 = 35 minutes.
The hour hand is just past 3, so the hour is 3.
The time on the analogue clock is 3:35.
Step 2: Read the digital clock
The digital clock shows 3:35.
Step 3: Compare the times
Both clocks show 3:35.
The correct answer is: Yes, the analogue and digital clocks show the same time: 3:35.
After working through this example, your child will be able to recognise when the time on an analogue clock matches the time on a digital clock, down to the minute. They can now try similar questions to build confidence with matching times in both formats.
