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how to draw a clock

How to draw a clock - a free clock drawing guide

Draw an analog clock face with numbers, hour and minute hands, and tick marks; practice measuring angles and telling time as you create.

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Photos of analog clock drawings and examples

Step-by-step guide to draw an analog clock and practice measuring angles

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How to Draw a Clock for Kids | Easy Clock Drawing and Coloring Step by Step

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, ruler, protractor, round object or compass, coloring materials

Step 1

Fold the paper in half and press a firm crease.

Step 2

Fold the paper the other way and press a second crease.

Step 3

Open the paper and make a small dot where the two creases cross to mark the center.

Step 4

Place a round object or compass with its center on the dot and trace a neat circle with your pencil.

Step 5

Put the protractor center on the center dot and mark a small dot every 30 degrees around the circle until you have 12 dots.

Step 6

Write the numbers 12 then 1 through 11 at each marked dot around the circle so 12 is at the top.

Step 7

Draw a longer tick mark at each numbered position pointing inward toward the center.

Step 8

Draw four small equal tick marks between each hour tick to show the minutes.

Step 9

Choose a time you want your clock to show and say the time out loud.

Step 10

Use the ruler to draw a long minute hand from the center to the correct minute tick for your chosen time.

Step 11

Use the ruler to draw a shorter hour hand from the center pointing to the correct spot between hour numbers for your chosen time.

Step 12

Place the protractor on the center and measure the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand and write that angle next to the hands.

Step 13

Color the clock face numbers ticks and hands with your coloring materials to finish your design.

Step 14

Take a photo and share your finished clock and the angles you measured on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use instead of a compass or protractor if we don't have one?

If you don't have a compass or protractor, trace a round plate or lid for the circle (step 4) and use a printable protractor or a smartphone angle app to mark every 30° for the 12 dots (step 5).

My hour numbers or dots look uneven or the protractor keeps slipping—what should I try?

If the center dot or hour dots are off or the protractor slips, refold the paper using the firm creases from steps 1–3 to re-find the center, press the creases firmly, and tape the protractor lightly when marking each 30° dot (step 5) so the 12 dots line up.

How can I change this activity for younger or older kids?

For younger kids, pre-trace the circle and pre-mark or use number stickers for steps 4–6 and have them draw big tick marks and color (steps 7, 8, 13), while older kids can calculate exact angles for step 12 and make movable hands with a split pin after drawing ruler-measured hands (steps 10–11).

How can we extend or personalize the finished clock?

To personalize and extend the activity, decorate the face and hands with your coloring materials (step 13), attach the hour and minute hands with a brad so they move, measure and record different angles (step 12), and then photograph and share your clocks on DIY.org (step 15).

Watch videos on how to draw an analog clock and tell time

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Clock || drawing tutorial for children #drawingtutorial #drawingforkids

4 Videos

Facts about telling time and basic geometry

⏰ A clock face has 12 numbers and each adjacent number is 30° apart (360° ÷ 12).

📐 The minute hand moves 6° every minute (360° ÷ 60); the hour hand moves 0.5° per minute.

🕰️ Mechanical clocks began appearing in Europe around the 14th century — long before wristwatches!

🧭 You can use a protractor to measure angles on your drawn clock — 90° is a right angle, 180° is straight.

🕑 When the minute hand points to 12 it's “o'clock,” and when it points to 6 it's “half past” — quick reading tips.

How do I draw an analog clock to practice telling time and measuring angles?

Start by drawing a large circle for the clock face. Mark the center and divide the circle into twelve equal sections by lightly sketching lines or using a protractor. Label numbers 1–12 around the rim, add tick marks for minutes, and draw hour and minute hands. Ask your child to set times and measure angles between hands with a protractor, then read the time aloud to practice both geometry and time-telling.

What materials do I need to draw an analog clock with my child?

You'll need paper or a printable clock face, pencils, a ruler or straightedge, an eraser, and colored pencils or markers. A compass or round object helps draw a neat circle, and a protractor is useful for measuring angles and showing minutes. Optional: scissors and brad fastener if you want movable hands, and a stopwatch or clock for real-time examples.

What ages is drawing and measuring angles on a clock suitable for?

This activity suits ages about 5–12, with adaptations. Preschoolers (around 4–6) can learn number placement and simple "o'clock" reading using a pre-drawn circle and movable hands. Ages 7–9 can draw the face, add tick marks, and read times to five minutes. Ages 10–12 can measure angles with a protractor, explore minute increments, and relate angles to elapsed time. Adjust complexity to the child's skill.

What are the benefits of drawing clocks and measuring angles?

Drawing clocks builds number sense, fine motor skills, and spatial reasoning while reinforcing time-telling and basic geometry. Measuring angles connects math concepts to everyday life and improves protractor use and estimation. It also supports attention, following instructions, and vocabulary (hour/minute/angle). Variation ideas: use colored sections, challenge with fractional hours, or turn it into a scavenger hunt for times around the house.

Ready to create?

All Activities

how to draw a clock

How to draw a clock - a free clock drawing guide

Draw an analog clock face with numbers, hour and minute hands, and tick marks; practice measuring angles and telling time as you create.

Table of contents

Drawing Apps

Photos of analog clock drawings and examples

Step-by-step guide to draw an analog clock and practice measuring angles

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Draw a Clock for Kids | Easy Clock Drawing and Coloring Step by Step

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, ruler, protractor, round object or compass, coloring materials

Step 1

Fold the paper in half and press a firm crease.

Step 2

Fold the paper the other way and press a second crease.

Step 3

Open the paper and make a small dot where the two creases cross to mark the center.

Step 4

Place a round object or compass with its center on the dot and trace a neat circle with your pencil.

Step 5

Put the protractor center on the center dot and mark a small dot every 30 degrees around the circle until you have 12 dots.

Step 6

Write the numbers 12 then 1 through 11 at each marked dot around the circle so 12 is at the top.

Step 7

Draw a longer tick mark at each numbered position pointing inward toward the center.

Step 8

Draw four small equal tick marks between each hour tick to show the minutes.

Step 9

Choose a time you want your clock to show and say the time out loud.

Step 10

Use the ruler to draw a long minute hand from the center to the correct minute tick for your chosen time.

Step 11

Use the ruler to draw a shorter hour hand from the center pointing to the correct spot between hour numbers for your chosen time.

Step 12

Place the protractor on the center and measure the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand and write that angle next to the hands.

Step 13

Color the clock face numbers ticks and hands with your coloring materials to finish your design.

Step 14

Take a photo and share your finished clock and the angles you measured on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can we use instead of a compass or protractor if we don't have one?

If you don't have a compass or protractor, trace a round plate or lid for the circle (step 4) and use a printable protractor or a smartphone angle app to mark every 30° for the 12 dots (step 5).

My hour numbers or dots look uneven or the protractor keeps slipping—what should I try?

How can I change this activity for younger or older kids?

How can we extend or personalize the finished clock?

Watch videos on how to draw an analog clock and tell time

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Clock || drawing tutorial for children #drawingtutorial #drawingforkids

4 Videos

Facts about telling time and basic geometry

⏰ A clock face has 12 numbers and each adjacent number is 30° apart (360° ÷ 12).

📐 The minute hand moves 6° every minute (360° ÷ 60); the hour hand moves 0.5° per minute.

🕰️ Mechanical clocks began appearing in Europe around the 14th century — long before wristwatches!

🧭 You can use a protractor to measure angles on your drawn clock — 90° is a right angle, 180° is straight.

🕑 When the minute hand points to 12 it's “o'clock,” and when it points to 6 it's “half past” — quick reading tips.