---
title: "Telling time to the minute (age 8+)"
description: "Tell and write time to the nearest minute using analogue and digital clocks"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/telling-time-to-the-minute-age-8-mt_UNzojLkNdm
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/telling-time-to-the-minute-age-8-mt_UNzojLkNdm.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Telling time to the minute (age 8+)

Tell and write time to the nearest minute using analogue and digital clocks

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Measurement · Ages 8 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/telling-time-to-the-minute-age-8-mt_UNzojLkNdm

## Ready when they can

- Read 7:43 from an analogue clock face
- Write 11:06 on a digital display given a clock with hands
- Match analogue and digital times to the nearest minute

## Lesson: Reading the exact minute

You already know that each number on a clock stands for 5 minutes. Look closer and you will see small tick marks between the numbers. Each tick is one minute.

*(drawing: The minute hand sits between the 8 and the 9. The 8 means 40 minutes, and the hand is 3 ticks past it: 43. The clock reads 7:43.)*

**Example.** Ben's clock shows the minute hand 1 tick past the 1. The 1 means 5 minutes, so it is 6 minutes past the hour. On a digital clock he writes 11:06, not 11:6. The zero holds the empty tens spot.

**Tip.** When the minutes are less than 10, always write a zero first, like 06 or 04. Digital clocks always show two digits for minutes.

**Recap.** Count the ticks past the last number to find the exact minute, and always write minutes under 10 with a leading zero.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Telling time to five minutes with a.m. and p.m. (age 7+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/telling-time-to-five-minutes-with-a-m-and-p-m-age-7-mt_4m8BimI4G5)

## Opens up

- [Elapsed time problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/elapsed-time-problems-mt_IL86kadLSS)