Calculating Hours Between Two Times
Subtracting times is trickier than subtracting ordinary numbers because an hour has 60 minutes, not 100, and because shifts can run past midnight. This calculator handles both: enter a start and end time, subtract any unpaid break, and get the result in hours and minutes, in decimal hours for payroll, and — if you add your hourly rate — in pay.
Converting minutes to decimal hours
Payroll and invoicing systems usually record time as decimal hours. To convert, divide the minutes by 60. A common mistake is to write 7 hours 30 minutes as 7.30 — it is actually 7.50.
| Minutes | Decimal | Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0.08 | 35 | 0.58 |
| 10 | 0.17 | 40 | 0.67 |
| 15 | 0.25 | 45 | 0.75 |
| 20 | 0.33 | 50 | 0.83 |
| 25 | 0.42 | 55 | 0.92 |
| 30 | 0.50 | 60 | 1.00 |
Night shifts across midnight
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift ended the next day. A shift from 22:00 to 06:00 is therefore 8 hours. For shifts longer than 24 hours, split the calculation into separate days.
Worked example
A shift from 9:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute unpaid lunch is 8 hours of work (8.00 decimal hours). At $18.50 an hour, that is $148.00 for the day and $740.00 for a five-day week of 40 hours.
Tips for accurate time tracking
- Record times as you go rather than reconstructing them at the end of the week.
- Know your break rules. Paid and unpaid breaks are treated differently, and rules vary by country and employer.
- Check overtime thresholds — daily or weekly limits after which a higher rate may apply.
- Keep your own copy of hours worked in case of payroll errors.
Counting days rather than hours? Use the days between dates calculator, and plan what to do with your earnings using the 50/30/20 budget calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate hours worked?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid breaks. For example, 9:00 to 17:30 is 8.5 hours; minus a 30-minute break gives 8 hours.
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60. 45 minutes ÷ 60 = 0.75 hours, so 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours.
Can I calculate an overnight shift?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift finished the following day.
Does it calculate overtime?
It shows weekly totals and flags when they exceed 40 hours, but overtime rules vary by country, state and contract, so overtime pay is not calculated automatically.
Disclaimer: Calculations use the Gregorian calendar and your device's local time zone. Results are provided as-is for informational purposes.
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