Hours Calculator
Enter a start and end time to get the hours in between, minus breaks, in hours and minutes and decimal hours. Overnight shifts are handled automatically.
- Overnight shifts
- Break deduction
- Decimal hours
- Pay estimate
Hours between two times
Type times as 9:00 AM, 9am, 21:00 or 2100. If the end is earlier than the start, the shift is treated as running past midnight.
8:00
From 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, minus a 30-minute break, is 8 hours.
- Decimal hours
- 8.00
- Total minutes
- 480
What is an hours calculator?
An hours calculator measures the time between two clock times, such as 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. It is used for shifts, appointments, study sessions and billing. This one subtracts unpaid breaks, recognises when a shift runs past midnight, and converts the result to decimal hours for payroll, with an optional pay estimate.
How to use Hours Calculator
- Type the start time and end time, as 9:00 AM, 9am, 21:00 or 2100.
- Enter the unpaid break in minutes, if any.
- Optionally add an hourly rate for a pay estimate.
- Read the hours and minutes, decimal hours and total minutes. For a whole week, use the time card calculator.
Hours and minutes to decimal hours
- 15 minutes = 0.25 h, 30 minutes = 0.5 h, 45 minutes = 0.75 h.
- Formula: decimal hours = hours + minutes ÷ 60. 7 h 40 min = 7.67 h.
- Overnight: if the end is earlier than the start, add 24 hours to the end.
- In a spreadsheet, =(End-Start)*24 gives decimal hours when cells hold times.
Why use this hours calculator
- Overnight is automatic10 PM to 6 AM is 8 hours, not −16.
- Payroll readyDecimal hours to two places, as most payroll systems need.
- Flexible time entry12-hour, 24-hour or military times all work.
- Private by defaultEverything is calculated in your browser. Dates, times and pay rates are never sent to a server.
Common uses
- Shift work. Hours worked on a single shift, including nights.
- Freelance billing. Session length converted to billable decimal hours.
- Parking and rentals. How long between drop-off and pick-up.
- Sleep. Hours slept between bedtime and alarm.
More time and date tools: date calculator, days between dates, business days, age calculator, time calculator, time card, military time, time zones.
Example: a night shift
A nurse works from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM with a 45-minute break. Enter 7:00 PM, 7:30 AM and 45: the shift is 11 hours 45 minutes, or 11.75 decimal hours. At $38 an hour that is $446.50.
What to expect from the result
Shifts longer than 24 hours need the date calculator or time card. Daylight-saving changes during a night shift are not accounted for; add or subtract an hour manually on those nights.
Hours Calculator questions
How do I calculate the hours between two times?
Enter the start and end times. The calculator subtracts the start from the end and shows the result in hours and minutes and decimal hours.
How does it handle overnight shifts?
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift ends the next day. 10 PM to 6 AM is 8 hours.
How do I subtract a lunch break?
Enter the unpaid break in minutes. It is deducted from the time between start and end.
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours: 8 hours 20 minutes is 8.33 hours. The calculator shows this for you.
Can I calculate hours for a whole week?
Yes. Use the time card calculator, which totals each day, calculates overtime and exports a CSV.