A deceptively simple brainteaser about telling the time is reportedly so challenging that a staggering 98% of people cannot solve it. Despite its straightforward premise, only the top 2% of puzzle-solvers are said to crack the correct answer, putting mental agility to the ultimate test.
The Power of a Puzzle Workout
While solving puzzles alone isn't a definitive measure of intelligence, the speed and accuracy of your problem-solving can indicate how well you exercise your mind. Just as physical fitness requires regular training, cognitive fitness is bolstered by stimulating activities like brainteasers. Engaging in such mental workouts is linked to sharper cognitive abilities, improved problem-solving skills, and potentially a lower risk of degenerative brain conditions like dementia.
The Viral Time Challenge
The puzzle recently surged in popularity after content creator Jay Joseph took to the streets of the UK to pose the question in a TikTok video filmed in December 2025. His caption boldly stated, "Only 2% of people get this correct." The multiple-choice question he asked was: "What is the closest time to midnight? A) 11:55 am, B) 12:06 am, C) 11:50 am, or D) 12:03 am."
In the video, many participants immediately stumbled. The first person asked for clarification, questioning whether midnight was AM or PM. Upon learning it was AM, she confidently selected option A, 11:55 am. This logic was echoed by several others in the clip, all convinced they had found the nearest time.
The Simple Solution Explained
The correct answer is D, 12:03 am. The trick lies in understanding the 12-hour clock format. Midnight is represented as 12:00 am. Therefore, 12:03 am is only three minutes past midnight, making it the temporally closest option.
The times beginning with "11" (11:55 am and 11:50 am) are in the morning, placing them close to midday (12:00 pm) and nearly a full 12 hours away from the previous midnight. This common misinterpretation is what leads the vast majority astray.
Some online commentators have argued that because 12:03 am has passed midnight, it is technically 23 hours and 57 minutes until the next midnight, making 11:55 am closer. However, the conventional and logical interpretation, as used in everyday language, is that "close to midnight" refers to proximity in immediate time, not the distance to the next occurrence of midnight. If you arranged to meet someone "around midnight," they would expect you at 12:03 am, not 11:55 am.
Did you manage to join the elite 2% who solved this viral brainteaser?
