How to Set a Dash Cam Clock to 12 Hour or 24 Hour Format

Why the clock format matters

Recording a clear timestamp overlay is one of the main reasons people buy a dash cam. When you review footage after a drive, the date and time let you place each clip in order. Both the 12-hour and 24-hour formats work for this; the key is to choose one you can read at a glance and then make sure the clock is set correctly.

A dash cam timestamp is added to the video overlay at the time of recording. If the clock shows the wrong hour, the format choice will not fix that. Start with the correct time zone, make sure daylight saving changes are handled, and only then decide whether you want the display in 12-hour or 24-hour style. If your dash cam keeps resetting its clock, see the clock reset guide.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC, and road safety groups such as IIHS, the CDC, and GHSA track crash data because clear information can help prevent crashes. A dash cam with a readable, correct timestamp can make it easier to explain the order of events. The format itself is a preference; the accuracy of the clock is what matters.

Where to find the setting

Dash cam menus differ, but the clock format setting is usually under System, Setup, General, Date/Time, or Display. On a camera with a built-in screen, tap the Settings or Menu icon and page through the options. On a camera without a screen, connect through the phone app if the manufacturer provides one, or use the physical buttons.

Look for wording such as:

Some mirror dash cams put the setting under the display menu because the clock appears on the mirror screen. If the camera uses button controls, press the menu button until the clock menu appears, then use the up and down buttons to change the format.

• 12H/24H
• Time Format
• Clock Format
• Time Mode
• Date/Time

12-hour vs. 24-hour clock

In 12-hour format, the day is split into two blocks: 12:00 AM through 11:59 AM, then 12:00 PM through 11:59 PM. In 24-hour format, the hours run from 00:00 through 23:59, with no AM or PM label. For example, 3:45 PM becomes 15:45, and 11:15 PM becomes 23:15. This is the same time encoded in the video overlay, just displayed differently.

Most dash cams label the options simply as 12H and 24H. Select the one you want and confirm. If the menu asks for a time zone separately, set that next so the displayed hour matches your location.

Set the clock after changing format

After you change the format, check each part of the date and time setting. Set the hour, minute, month, day, and year if the camera does not receive time from a GPS signal. If your dash cam has GPS, let it acquire a fix and compare the time shown with your local time. A GPS-enabled model can update the clock automatically, but the 12H or 24H display choice stays in the menu. For more on GPS time, read the GPS explainer and the GNSS logging article.

If you drive across a time zone, use the time zone setting rather than changing the hour manually. This keeps the clock correct when you travel and avoids small mistakes in the recorded timestamp. If your camera still shows the wrong time after changing the format, check whether it supports daylight saving time or needs a firmware update.

Some models also let you sync time through the phone app. In that case, make sure the phone's time and time zone are correct, then send the time to the dash cam.

Which format should you choose?

Choose the format you would naturally use when reading a clock. If you think of time as 6:30 PM, pick 12-hour. If you think of time as 18:30, pick 24-hour. There is no safety advantage to either format; the advantage comes from picking one you will not second-guess.

If you record in places where official documents or GPS logs often use 24-hour time, 24-hour may be easier to compare with those records. If you review clips on a phone that shows 12-hour time, 12-hour may feel more direct. Either way, the timestamp should match local time after the change.

Before you finish, confirm the format with a quick test: start the engine, let the camera record for a few seconds, then play back the clip and check the on-screen time. If it reads the way you expect, you are done.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Will changing the time format erase my videos?

No. The time format setting only changes how the clock text appears in the date/time overlay. It does not delete recordings, lock files, or reformat the memory card. You can switch between 12H and 24H and existing clips stay on the card.

Can I display both AM/PM and a 24-hour clock?

No. A dash cam uses one clock format at a time. You choose either 12H or 24H in the menu. The underlying time value is the same, so you can switch back and forth whenever you prefer.

My dash cam only shows a 12-hour option. Can I get 24-hour?

If the menu does not list a 24H option, the camera may not support it. Check the manual and look for a firmware update, because some models add settings through updates. If 24H is not available, 12-hour is the format you can use.

Does GPS override my format setting?

GPS can update the time and time zone, but the display format is usually a separate menu setting. If the screen shows 15:45, the 24H format is selected. Switch to 12H if you prefer 3:45 PM; the GPS time itself is the same.

Why is the time one hour off after I changed the format?

Changing from 12H to 24H does not move the hour. Check the time zone setting and daylight saving option, then set the hour manually or let GPS resync. A persistent one-hour offset is usually a time zone or DST issue.