Hours Calculator
Find the duration between a start and end time, minus any break. Shows hours-and-minutes and decimal hours. Handles shifts that cross midnight.
Hours and minutes vs. decimal hours
There are two common ways to write a length of time. Hours and minutes (8:30) is how a clock reads. Decimal hours (8.50) is what payroll and billing use, because you can multiply it straight by a pay or bill rate. To convert minutes to decimals, divide by 60.
Minutes to decimal, at a glance
| Minutes | Decimal | Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.17 | 35 | 0.58 |
| 15 | 0.25 | 40 | 0.67 |
| 20 | 0.33 | 45 | 0.75 |
| 30 | 0.50 | 60 | 1.00 |
Frequently asked questions
Subtract the start time from the end time. For example, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours. If you took an unpaid break, subtract it too. This calculator does it for you and also shows the result in decimal hours for payroll.
Divide the minutes by 60. So 15 minutes = 0.25, 30 minutes = 0.5, and 45 minutes = 0.75. That is why 8 hours 30 minutes shows as 8.50 decimal hours.
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the period crossed midnight and adds 24 hours. For example, 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM is 8 hours.
Enter the unpaid break in minutes in the Break field. A 9:00 AM–5:00 PM shift with a 60-minute lunch is 7 worked hours.
Multiply the decimal part by 60. For 8.25 hours, 0.25 × 60 = 15 minutes, so it is 8 hours 15 minutes.