How to Use the Time Format Conversion in WordPress

Last updated on August 7, 2026

Key Takeaways

• One toggle, two effects (shortcode + global filter)

• Shortcode: `[cm_time_format time=”14:30″]` outputs the time in 12-hour format

• Global filter: converts all `the_time()` and `get_the_time()` calls in the front-end

• Useful for sites that serve audiences used to 12-hour time

• WordPress stores time internally in 24-hour format; this only changes display

What Is the Time Format Conversion feature?

Time Format Conversion provides two related capabilities:

A shortcode [cm_time_format time="14:30"] that takes a time string and outputs it in the chosen format (12-hour or 24-hour, with or without AM/PM)
A global filter that automatically converts time displays in templates and theme functions, so all times appear in 12-hour format without changing your theme code

The shortcode is useful for ad-hoc conversions in content; the global filter is useful for site-wide time display changes.

Why You Need It

Most WordPress sites use the WordPress time format setting (Settings > General > Time Format), which defaults to the site’s locale. Some scenarios require overriding this:

Multi-audience sites: A US-based site serving a European audience (or vice versa) may want to standardize on one format
Custom themes: Some themes hardcode the_time('g:i a') (12-hour) or the_time('H:i') (24-hour) without using the WordPress setting. Time Format Conversion overrides the hardcoded format
Content with mixed time displays: When a page shows multiple times in different places, the shortcode lets you normalize them all to one format

The feature does not change WordPress’s internal time storage. All times remain in 24-hour format in the database; only the display is affected.

How to Use the Time Format Conversion in Classic Monks

Step 1: Enable the Feature

In the Classic Monks settings, go to the Core tab, Content subtab. Scroll to the Shortcode and Filter Utilities section and toggle on Enable Time Format Conversion (24h to 12h).

Enable time format conversion

Step 2: Save Changes

Click Save Changes.

Step 3: Use the Shortcode

In any post, page, or template that processes shortcodes, use [cm_time_format] to display a time:

[cm_time_format time="14:30"]
[cm_time_format time="09:00" format="12h"]
[cm_time_format time="23:45" format="24h"]
[cm_time_format time="14:30" show_am_pm="true"]

The shortcode accepts three attributes:

time (required): The time string in 24-hour format
format: Either “12h” (default) or “24h”
show_am_pm: “true” (default) or “false” (for 24-hour display, AM/PM is hidden)

Step 4: (Optional) Customize the Global Filter

The global filter automatically converts time displays in the_time() and get_the_time() calls throughout your theme. To customize the filter behavior, use the available filters in the Advanced Options below.

Configuration Options

Option	Description	Default
Enable Time Format Conversion (24h to 12h)	Master toggle. Enables both the shortcode and the global filter.	Off

Per-instance options are passed as shortcode attributes.

Usage Examples

# Convert a 24-hour time to 12-hour with AM/PM:
[cm_time_format time="14:30"]
Output: 2:30 PM

# Convert to 24-hour format (no AM/PM):
[cm_time_format time="14:30" format="24h"]
Output: 14:30

# Show 12-hour without AM/PM:
[cm_time_format time="14:30" show_am_pm="false"]
Output: 2:30

# Midnight conversion:
[cm_time_format time="00:00"]
Output: 12:00 AM

# Noon conversion:
[cm_time_format time="12:00"]
Output: 12:00 PM

Developer Notes

This feature is a single toggle with no developer hooks currently exposed. The feature-specific logic is loaded conditionally when the toggle is enabled.

Options used:

Option	Type	Default
Feature toggle	Boolean	`false`

Troubleshooting

The shortcode shows the time in 24-hour format

Cause: The format attribute is set to “24h”, or the global filter is interfering.
Fix: Verify the shortcode includes format="12h" (which is the default, so you may not need to specify it). If the global filter is converting to 24h, check the filter override settings or the cm_time_format_global_output filter.

The global filter is not affecting theme time displays

Cause: The theme uses a custom time display function that bypasses WordPress’s standard the_time() and get_the_time() calls.
Fix: Identify the theme’s time display function (search for date() or gmdate() calls in the theme). Either modify the theme or add a custom filter that intercepts the custom function and applies the conversion.

The shortcode outputs the raw time string instead of formatted

Cause: The time attribute is missing or not a valid time string.
Fix: Verify the shortcode includes the time attribute with a valid 24-hour time (e.g., “14:30”, “09:00:00”). The shortcode uses strtotime() internally; invalid time strings are returned as-is.

AM/PM is showing in lowercase ("am", "pm") instead of uppercase

Cause: The default WordPress time format setting is using lowercase. The shortcode uses the WordPress setting as the default.
Fix: Change the WordPress time format setting to use uppercase AM/PM (Settings > General > Time Format, use “g:i A” instead of “g:i a”). Or filter cm_time_format_shortcode_output to force uppercase.

The conversion is showing different formats in different places

Cause: Some time displays use the WordPress setting, some use the global filter, and some use the shortcode. They all default to 12-hour but the formatting can differ.
Fix: Standardize by using only one method. The shortcode is the most predictable (it always uses the attributes you specify). Disable the global filter if you only want shortcode-based conversions.