Decimal Time (10h/Day)
French Revolutionary 10-Hour Standard
4:23:61
Standard 24h Time: 10:10:00 (86,400s = 100,000 decimal seconds)
Decimal Time Clock
French Revolutionary 10-Hour Day•100 Decimal Minutes per Hour•100,000 Decimal Seconds per Day•Live Standard 24H Conversion
How French Revolutionary Decimal Time Works
During the French Revolution in 1793, the National Convention introduced a metric time system: each day was divided into 10 decimal hours, each hour into 100 decimal minutes, and each minute into 100 decimal seconds.
The TimerBox Decimal Time Clock calculates and displays live decimal time in real time alongside standard 24-hour time, illustrating this fascinating historical experiment in rational metric measurement.
How to Use the Decimal Time Clock
1
Watch decimal time tick forward at 100,000 decimal seconds per 24-hour day.
2
Compare the decimal readout (e.g. 5:00:00 = exact noon) against standard time.
3
Observe how noon equals decimal 5.0 and midnight equals decimal 0.0.
4
Learn about the historical adoption and challenges of metric timekeeping.
Explore More Free Online Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is French Revolutionary decimal time?
It was a timekeeping system adopted in France in 1793 that divided the day into 10 hours of 100 minutes of 100 seconds.
How long is a decimal second compared to a standard second?
A decimal second is 0.864 standard seconds (slightly shorter than a regular second).
Why was decimal time abandoned?
It was unpopular with the public because it required replacing all existing clocks and watches, and was officially suspended in 1795.
How does noon look in decimal time?
Noon is exactly 5:00:00 decimal time (halfway through the 10-hour day).
Ready to Use the Decimal Time Clock?
Scroll up to start using this tool immediately with zero setup required.