Random Time Generator
Generate random times in 12-hour or 24-hour formats with customizable hour ranges for testing and development
Our random time generator helps you generate random times for application testing, database population, and development needs. Generate-Random.org provides a free time generator that creates random times with customizable hour ranges and formats. This time picker tool supports both 12-hour and 24-hour formats with optional seconds. Generate up to 100 times at once with configurable hour ranges (0-23). Perfect for test data generation, QA testing, and application development. All times generated using cryptographically secure random number generation. No signup required, completely free.
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What is a Random Time Generator?
A Random Time Generator creates times of day in various formats for testing, development, and data generation purposes. Our generator uses cryptographically secure algorithms to ensure truly random time selection across your specified hour range. Times can range from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59 (midnight to one second before midnight).
Random times are essential for populating test databases, QA testing of time-dependent features, generating sample datasets, and validating time range functionality. Our tool supports both 12-hour format with AM/PM indicators (02:30:45 PM) and 24-hour military time format (14:30:45). Optionally include or exclude seconds based on your needs. Perfect for test data generation, application testing, scheduling systems, and development workflows.
Time Generator Configuration Options
Time Format (12-hour vs 24-hour)
Hour Range (Start & End Hours)
Include Seconds Option
Count (1-100 Times)
How to Generate Random Times
[STEP 1] Choose Format
Select between 24-hour format (military time) or 12-hour format (with AM/PM) based on your application needs.
[STEP 1] Set Hour Range
Configure start hour and end hour (0-23) to restrict generation to specific time periods like business hours or shifts.
[STEP 1] Configure Options
Enable or disable seconds inclusion and set the count (1-100) based on your testing or data generation requirements.
[STEP 1] Generate & Export
Click generate to create random times with complete metadata. Export to TXT, CSV, or JSON format for use in your applications.
Common Use Cases for Random Times
- _ Scheduling System Testing: Test appointment booking, calendar features, meeting schedulers, and time slot availability with realistic time data
- _ Database Population: Fill test databases with realistic time values for event timestamps, booking times, and activity logs
- _ Time Range Validation: Test time pickers, time range filters, and time-based business logic with diverse time values
- _ Shift Management Testing: Generate times within specific hour ranges to test shift scheduling, attendance tracking, and work hour calculations
- _ UI Component Testing: Validate time display formatting, 12/24-hour conversion, and time input components with various time formats
- _ API Testing: Test API endpoints that accept time parameters with both 12-hour and 24-hour formats
Technical Details: Random Time Generation
Our time generator uses PHP's random_int() function with cryptographically secure random number generation (CSPRNG) to create random hour, minute, and second values within your specified ranges. Times are formatted in both 12-hour and 24-hour formats with complete metadata.
// Random Time Generation Process
Input: format, start_hour, end_hour, include_seconds, count
1. Generate random time components using CSPRNG:
for i from 1 to count:
hour = random_int(start_hour, end_hour) // e.g., 0-23
minute = random_int(0, 59) // Full minute range
second = include_seconds ? random_int(0, 59) : 0
// CSPRNG ensures unpredictable, uniform distribution
2. Calculate total seconds from midnight (for sorting/analysis):
total_seconds = (hour * 3600) + (minute * 60) + second
// Useful for time comparisons and calculations
3. Format as 24-hour time:
time_24h = sprintf('%02d:%02d:%02d', hour, minute, second)
// Result: "14:30:45"
4. Format as 12-hour time with AM/PM:
hour_12 = hour % 12
if (hour_12 == 0) hour_12 = 12 // Midnight/noon handling
period = hour < 12 ? 'AM' : 'PM'
time_12h = sprintf('%02d:%02d:%02d %s', hour_12, minute, second, period)
// Result: "02:30:45 PM"
5. Return both formats with metadata:
- formatted (based on selected format)
- time_24h (always provided)
- time_12h (always provided)
- hour, minute, second (individual components)
- total_seconds (for calculations)
- period (AM/PM)
Hour Range: 0-23 (customizable start/end)
Security: CSPRNG ensures times are unpredictable
Formats: 12-hour (AM/PM) and 24-hour (military)
Distribution: Uniform probability across time range