Hours (Time Duration) Calculator.
Use this hours calculator to work out the exact time duration between two times in hh:mm, decimal hours, and minutes. It’s ideal for calculating hours worked, shift lengths, study sessions, travel time, and schedules.
Enter times in hhmm format (without the colon), e.g. 915 for 9:15 or 1225 for 12:25. Choose 12-hour or 24-hour time, optionally deduct break minutes, and calculate instantly.
Hours Calculator
This calculator helps you quickly calculate:
Hours and minutes between two times (total duration in hh:mm)
Decimal hours (useful for payroll and timesheets)
Total minutes (useful for scheduling and time tracking)
Overnight durations (e.g., 22:00 to 06:00)
Break deductions (e.g., subtract a 30-minute break)
This page is designed for anyone who needs a fast and accurate time difference calculator, without downloading an app or creating a spreadsheet.
How to Calculate Hours Between Two Times
Step 1: Choose your time format
Select:
- 12-hour clock (with am/pm), or
- 24-hour clock (military time)
Step 2: Enter start and end times in hhmm
Enter times without the colon:
- 9:05 becomes 905
- 7:30 becomes 730
- 18:45 becomes 1845 (24-hour)
Step 3: Deduct breaks (optional)
If you need to subtract break time (for example, an unpaid lunch), enter the number of minutes to deduct.
Step 4: Calculate
You’ll get:
Total time in minutes
Total time in hh:mm
Total time in decimal hours
Examples of Hours Calculators Usage
Example 1: Standard workday
- Start: 900
- End: 1730
- Break: 30 minutes
Result:
- Total time = 8:00
- Decimal hours = 8.00
- Minutes = 480
Example 2: Short session
- Start: 915
- End: 1045
- Break: 0
Result:
- Total time = 1:30
- Decimal hours = 1.50
- Minutes = 90
Example 3: Overnight shift (crossing midnight)
- Start: 2200
- End: 600
- Break: 20 minutes
Result:
- Total time = 7:40
- Decimal hours = 7.67
- Minutes = 460
How decimal hours work (and why they matter)
Decimal hours are commonly used in payroll, billing, and timesheets because they are easier to multiply by an hourly rate.
To convert minutes into decimal hours:
- 15 minutes = 0.25 hours
- 30 minutes = 0.50 hours
- 45 minutes = 0.75 hours
This calculator handles the conversion automatically, so you can copy the decimal value straight into a timesheet or invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hours Calculator
Do I need to type the colon (:) in times?
No. This calculator uses hhmm format without the colon. For example:
- 915 = 9:15
- 1225 = 12:25
What if my end time is earlier than my start time?
That usually means your time range crosses midnight (an overnight shift). If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator automatically treats it as next day.
Can I deduct breaks from the total time?
Yes. Enter break time in minutes (for example, 30 for a 30-minute break). The calculator subtracts this from the total duration.
Is this the same as an “hours worked” calculator?
Yes, for most use cases. Enter your start and end times and deduct breaks to calculate total hours worked. If you need weekly totals, you can calculate each shift and add them together.
What’s the difference between hh:mm and decimal hours?
- hh:mm is a time format (e.g., 7:30)
- decimal hours is a numeric format (e.g., 7.50) used for pay calculations and billing
Related calculators
If you found this useful, you may also want:
- A weekly hours calculator for adding multiple shifts
- A minutes to hours converter for quick timesheet conversions
- A time and date calculator for adding or subtracting durations