Hours Calculator (Time Between)
Enter a start time and an end time to see exactly how many hours and minutes are between them.
| Total time | |
| Decimal hours | |
| Total minutes | |
| Note |
How to calculate hours between two times
Convert each time to minutes past midnight by multiplying the hour by 60 and adding the minutes. Subtract the start from the end to get the total minutes, then divide by 60 for hours; the remainder is the leftover minutes.
Worked example: a shift from 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM. The start is 8 × 60 + 30 = 510 minutes and the end is 17 × 60 + 15 = 1,035 minutes. The difference is 1,035 − 510 = 525 minutes, which is 8 hours and 45 minutes, or 8.75 decimal hours. With a 30-minute unpaid break, that becomes 495 minutes, or 8 hours 15 minutes (8.25 hours).
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift crosses midnight and adds 24 hours (1,440 minutes) before subtracting. A 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM shift is therefore 8 hours, not −16.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours for payroll?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours. 8 hours 45 minutes is 8 + 45 ÷ 60 = 8.75 hours. Timesheets and payroll systems usually want this decimal form.
Does the calculator handle overnight shifts?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, it treats the end time as the next day and adds 24 hours, so 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM gives 8 hours.
Should I subtract my lunch break?
Only if it is unpaid. Enter unpaid break minutes in the optional field and they are subtracted from the total; paid breaks should be left out so they count as worked time.