Hours Calculator

Enter a start and end time and get the duration in hours and minutes, decimal hours and total minutes — with an optional unpaid break. Free, instant, no sign-up.

Convert a duration

8 hours 0 minutes
8 decimal hours · 480 total minutes

Formula: end time minus start time, minus the unpaid break, floored at zero.

How the hours calculator works

The calculator subtracts the start time from the end time and converts the result into hours and minutes, decimal hours and total minutes. An optional unpaid break is subtracted, and a total can never go below zero.

Worked example: from 09:00 to 17:00 with a 30-minute break is 480 − 30 = 450 minutes, which is 7 hours 30 minutes or 7.5 decimal hours. An overnight shift from 22:00 to 06:00 is 8 hours, because the end time falls on the next day.

For converting a single duration, use our minutes to hours converter or seconds to minutes converter.

hours calculator questions

How do I calculate hours between two times?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then convert the remainder: hours = minutes ÷ 60. From 09:00 to 17:00 is 8 hours, or 480 minutes.
What about overnight shifts?
If the end time is earlier than the start time, it is counted as the next day. A 22:00 to 06:00 shift is 8 hours, not minus 16.
What are decimal hours?
Hours written as a single decimal number: 7 hours 30 minutes is 7.5 hours, because 30 minutes is half an hour. Payroll systems usually want this form.
How does the unpaid break work?
The break minutes are subtracted from the total, floored at zero. From 09:00 to 17:00 with a 30-minute break is 7.5 hours.
Does it handle multi-day spans?
No — it covers one shift within a 24-hour window, including overnight shifts. For spans across calendar dates, add the days separately.

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Sources & official guidance

Estimate only — durations are computed from the times you enter; check contracts and payroll rules for paid-time treatment. See our disclaimer.