Afternoon starts at noon, 12:00 p.m., and lasts until evening begins, usually around 5 or 6 p.m. There is no legal or scientific cutoff, so the end of the afternoon depends a little on context: the season, local habits and when people finish work.
The parts of the day
| Period | Typical times |
|---|---|
| Morning | from about 5 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. |
| Noon | 12:00 p.m. |
| Afternoon | 12:00 p.m. to about 5 or 6 p.m. |
| Evening | about 5 or 6 p.m. to around 9 p.m. |
| Night | from about 9 p.m. until dawn |
“P.m.” comes from the Latin post meridiem, “after midday,” which is exactly what afternoon means. In 24-hour time, used by the military, hospitals and much of the world, the afternoon runs from 12:00 to about 17:00 or 18:00.
Noon, 12 p.m. and 12 a.m.
Noon is written 12 p.m. and midnight 12 a.m., which confuses many people. To avoid mistakes in invitations, schedules and contracts, write “noon” or “midnight,” or use 24-hour time.
When to say “good afternoon”
Switch from “good morning” to “good afternoon” at noon. Most people move to “good evening” after 5 or 6 p.m., or once it gets dark in winter. In emails, “good afternoon” fits anything sent between lunch and the end of the workday.
Early, mid and late afternoon
- Early afternoon: roughly noon to 2 or 3 p.m.
- Mid-afternoon: around 3 p.m.
- Late afternoon: about 4 to 6 p.m.
If someone says “let’s meet in the afternoon,” it helps to suggest a specific time, because people picture very different hours.
Why you feel sleepy after lunch
Many people experience a drop in alertness in the early afternoon, often between 1 and 3 p.m. It is called the post-lunch dip. A heavy meal makes it worse, but the dip happens even without lunch, because the body’s internal clock produces a small slump at that time, part of the same rhythm that makes us sleepy at night.
A few ways to work with it:
- Schedule demanding tasks in the morning and keep routine work for early afternoon.
- Take a short walk outside after lunch; daylight and movement help.
- If you nap, keep it to 10 to 20 minutes and before 3 p.m., so it does not hurt your night’s sleep.
- Choose a lighter lunch with protein and vegetables rather than a large, sugary meal.
These habits are part of a broader approach to feeling better day to day, which we cover in our guide on improving your quality of life.
