Clockwise is the direction a clock's hands move — from 12 to 3 to 6 to 9. Counterclockwise is the opposite. British English says anticlockwise for the same thing. Both terms depend on viewing the face from the front, which is why they reverse if you look at a clock from behind.
The core difference
Two rotational directions defined by reference to a clock face.
- clockwise — 12 → 3 → 6 → 9. Right-hand turn at the top.
- counterclockwise — the reverse. Called anticlockwise in British English.
Why clocks go that way at all
Because of sundials. In the northern hemisphere a sundial's shadow moves in what we now call the clockwise direction, and mechanical clocks were built to match the shadow people already knew. Had clocks been invented in the southern hemisphere, the convention would very plausibly be reversed.
The point of view problem
The direction is defined from the front. Viewed from behind — through the glass, or from the other side of a rotating disc — the same motion appears counterclockwise. Technical writing usually specifies the viewpoint for exactly this reason.
Frequently asked questions
What is the British term for counterclockwise?
Anticlockwise. Both mean the same direction.
Why do clock hands move clockwise?
Because sundial shadows move that way in the northern hemisphere, and mechanical clocks were built to match a motion people already recognised.
Does the direction depend on where you stand?
Yes. The same rotation appears reversed when viewed from the other side, which is why technical writing states the viewpoint.