About TimeTutor

TimeTutor is a free educational website that helps children and beginners learn to tell the time. It combines an interactive analogue clock, a matching digital display and plain-language explanations, so learners can see how each part of a clock connects to the time it shows.

Why we made it

Reading an analogue clock is a skill many children find difficult, and it is often taught too quickly. TimeTutor was built to let learners move at their own pace, revisit any idea as often as they need, and always see the analogue, digital and written forms of the time side by side.

How the lessons work

There are 150 short lessons, each focused on a single idea. Learners start with the parts of the clock, the hour hand and counting minutes by fives, then move on to “past” and “to” times, exact minutes and the second hand. Later lessons cover elapsed time, clockwise and anticlockwise, and reading any minute and second on the whole clock. Each lesson shows the clock, the digital time and a short explanation, and learners move forward, back or to a random lesson with the buttons below. See the lessons overview for a stage-by-stage breakdown.

Who it is for

• Children learning to tell the time for the first time.
• Parents who want to help at home without needing a lesson plan.
• Teachers looking for a clear, self-paced resource. The Parent / Teacher menu lets you jump straight to any lesson.
• Adult learners and English language learners who want to practise reading and saying the time.

Learn guides

Alongside the interactive lessons, our Learn guides explain each topic in written form, with worked examples you can read at your own speed.

Who runs TimeTutor

TimeTutor is created and maintained by Albert Pothas, a parent and developer from Durban, South Africa. We are committed to keeping the lessons free, accurate and suitable for children. The site does not ask for accounts or personal information. You can read more in our Privacy Policy.

More from BulbGlow

TimeTutor is made by BulbGlow, which also makes WordHatch, a family of word games where players crack the letters and find the words. The first levels are free to play, and further levels are available as optional one-off packs with no subscription. Purchases are handled by Gumroad.

Get in touch

We welcome feedback, corrections and ideas for new lessons. Please visit our Contact page.