⏱️ Time Duration Calculator
Enter a start and end time to get the duration in hours and minutes, decimal hours and total minutes — with a break deduction.
Duration
8 h 30 m
Decimal hours
8.5
Total minutes
510
Gives the time elapsed from start to end. Subtract an unpaid break to get worked hours, and read the decimal hours (e.g., 8 h 30 m = 8.5) straight into a timesheet or payroll. 🔒 In your browser.
How the time duration calculator works
The calculator finds the elapsed time from the start clock time to the end clock time. If the end is earlier than the start it assumes the period runs past midnight (an overnight shift) and adds 24 hours. It returns the duration as hours and minutes, as decimal hours (so 8 h 30 m reads as 8.5 for payroll), and as total minutes. Enter an unpaid break in minutes to subtract it and get the net worked time.
Both times are 24-hour clock values. Decimal hours are what most timesheets and payroll systems expect — multiply by an hourly rate directly. For durations spanning multiple days, use the days-between or business-days calculators instead; this one is for times within a single day (or one overnight crossing).
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours between two times?
Subtract the start time from the end time. For 9:00 to 17:30 that's 8 hours 30 minutes. If the end is before the start (e.g., 22:00 to 06:00), it crosses midnight and is 8 hours. The tool handles both automatically.
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add to the hours: 8 h 30 m = 8 + 30/60 = 8.5 hours. The calculator shows decimal hours directly, which is what payroll and timesheets use.
Does it handle overnight shifts?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, it assumes the shift runs past midnight and adds 24 hours — so 22:00 to 06:00 correctly gives 8 hours.
How do I subtract a lunch break?
Enter the break length in minutes and the tool deducts it from the total to show net worked time. A 9:00–17:30 day with a 30-minute break is 8 hours worked.
What if my shift spans more than 24 hours?
This tool is for a duration within a day or a single overnight crossing. For multi-day spans, use a days-between-dates calculator and add the leftover hours, or track each day separately.