How do I calculate the hours between two times?

Convert each time to minutes since midnight, subtract, then divide by 60 for decimal hours. The calculator does this and handles overnight spans.

How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?

Divide the minutes by 60. 45 minutes is 0.75 hours and 20 minutes is 0.33 hours.

What if my shift goes past midnight?

If the end time is earlier than the start time, the tool assumes the end falls on the next day.

Can I use it for multiple days?

This tool covers one span. For a full week with breaks and overtime, use the work hours calculator.

Hours Calculator

Find the hours and minutes between two clock times, with an optional unpaid break.

Updated September 19, 2026Checked by the editorial team

Start time

End time

Unpaid break

min

Time worked

8h 00m

Decimal hours: 8
Total minutes: 480

Enter a start time and an end time to see how long lies between them, in hours and minutes and as a decimal. Add a break and it is taken off the total. Shifts that run past midnight are handled without any extra steps.

The decimal figure is what payroll and invoices usually want: 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours.

How hours calculator works

The tool converts both times to minutes since midnight and subtracts. If the end time is earlier than the start, it assumes the shift ends the next day and adds 24 hours. Identical times give zero.

Any break in minutes is deducted, then the total is shown as hours and minutes and as decimal hours.

The formula

Minutes  =  end − start  (add 1,440 if the end is earlier)  − break
Decimal hours  =  Minutes ÷ 60

Worked example: a shift from 8:45 to 17:20 with a 45-minute break

8:45 to 17:20 is 8 hours 35 minutes, or 515 minutes.

Subtract the 45-minute break: 470 minutes.

Result: 7 hours 50 minutes, which is 7.83 decimal hours.

Overnight case: 22:00 to 06:30 with a 30-minute break is 8 hours.

When to use this tool

Totalling a shift for a timesheet or an invoice.
Working out how long a journey, meeting or study session lasted.
Converting hh:mm into decimal hours for payroll software.
Checking overnight and night-shift lengths.

Common mistakes to avoid

Writing 7:45 as 7.45 hours. Minutes are out of 60, so 7:45 is 7.75 hours.
Forgetting the unpaid break.
Mixing 12-hour and 24-hour times. The inputs use 24-hour values internally to avoid AM and PM slips.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate the hours between two times?: Convert each time to minutes since midnight, subtract, then divide by 60 for decimal hours. The calculator does this and handles overnight spans.
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?: Divide the minutes by 60. 45 minutes is 0.75 hours and 20 minutes is 0.33 hours.
What if my shift goes past midnight?: If the end time is earlier than the start time, the tool assumes the end falls on the next day.
Can I use it for multiple days?: This tool covers one span. For a full week with breaks and overtime, use the work hours calculator.

Learn more

Results are for information only and are not financial, legal or medical advice. The calculation logic is covered by automated tests, and examples on this page are worked out and re-checked before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.