Reading a clock to the nearest five minutes is a Grade 2 skill; reading it to the exact minute is harder, because the minute hand can stop anywhere between the marks and a child has to count each small tick rather than jumping by fives. This worksheet shows one analog clock per question, with the minute hand set to any minute from 1 to 59, and asks your child to read and write the exact time, count how many minutes have passed since the hour, match a digital time to the clock, or figure out how many minutes remain until the next hour.
Support versions mostly keep the minute hand on a five-minute mark, with a few single-minute times, so counting stays manageable. Standard and challenge versions place the minute hand anywhere on the face, including minutes that fall between the usual landmarks, which is where most reading mistakes happen. Encourage your child to find the number the hour hand is closest to first, then count the small ticks one by one from the 12 to the minute hand, rather than guessing from the hand's general position.
What your child will learn
Read an analog clock to the exact minute
Write a time in h:mm format
Count minutes before the next hour
Match a digital time to a clock face
Worked example
When the hour hand is just past the 3 and the minute hand points at the 47-minute mark, the time is 3:47.
Common mistake
Rounding the minute hand to the nearest five minutes instead of counting the exact tick it points to.
Helpful hint
Count each small mark from the 12 around to the minute hand.
Questions parents ask
What is the most common mistake with tell time to the minute?+
Rounding the minute hand to the nearest five minutes instead of counting the exact tick it points to.
How can I help my child with tell time to the minute?+
Count each small mark from the 12 around to the minute hand.
Are these 3rd grade math worksheets free to print?+
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.
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