⏱️ Hours Calculator
Calculate Hours & Minutes Between Two Times
Work Hours • Time Duration • Accurate
📅 Hours Between Two Times (Same Day)
Calculate the hours and minutes worked between two times on the same day.
ℹ️ Time Format: This calculator uses 24-hour format (HH:MM). AM/PM times are automatically converted.
📊 Hours Between Two Times (Different Days)
Calculate hours when start and end times are on different days.
⏸️ Work Hours with Break Deduction
Calculate work hours and subtract lunch/break time.
🔄 Convert Between Time Units
Convert hours and minutes to different time units.
Understanding Hours Calculation
Calculating hours between two times is a common task for tracking work hours, project time, shift duration, and timesheets. Understanding how to calculate hours accurately is important for payroll, billing, and time tracking.
⭐ Basic Hours Calculation: To calculate hours between two times, subtract the start time from the end time. If the result is negative (end time earlier than start time), add 24 hours to account for the next day.
Hours Calculation Formulas
1. Same Day Calculation
Hours = (End Time - Start Time)
Example: From 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM = 8 hours 30 minutes
2. Different Day Calculation
Hours = (24:00 - Start Time) + End Time
Example: From 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM next day = 14 hours
3. Work Hours with Breaks
Work Hours = (End Time - Start Time) - Break Time
Example: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM minus 1.5 hours break = 6.5 hours worked
4. Time Unit Conversions
Total Minutes = (Hours × 60) + Minutes
Total Seconds = (Hours × 3600) + (Minutes × 60) + Seconds
Time Calculation Reference
| Time Unit | Conversion Factor | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Hour | 60 minutes | 1h = 60 min |
| 1 Hour | 3,600 seconds | 1h = 3,600 sec |
| 1 Minute | 60 seconds | 1 min = 60 sec |
| 1 Day | 24 hours | 1 day = 24h |
| 1 Week | 168 hours | 1 week = 168h |
| 0.5 Hours | 30 minutes | 0.5h = 30 min |
| 0.25 Hours | 15 minutes | 0.25h = 15 min |
Common Hours Calculation Scenarios
- Work Shift: 9 AM to 5:30 PM = 8 hours 30 minutes work (minus breaks)
- Overnight Shift: 10 PM to 6 AM = 8 hours (spans two calendar days)
- Project Duration: 2:30 PM to 4:15 PM = 1 hour 45 minutes
- Event Duration: 7:00 PM (Friday) to 2:00 AM (Saturday) = 7 hours
- Study Session: 3:00 PM + 2.5 hours = 5:30 PM end time
Practical Applications
- Timesheets: Track daily work hours for payroll and billing
- Project Management: Calculate time spent on tasks and projects
- Shift Work: Plan and monitor shift lengths and coverage
- Billing: Calculate billable hours for consultants and contractors
- Fitness Tracking: Monitor workout and exercise duration
- Event Planning: Calculate event duration and time slots
- Travel Time: Determine journey duration and arrival times
24-Hour vs 12-Hour Format
- 24-Hour Format: 0:00 to 23:59 (used in most countries). 1 PM = 13:00, 6 PM = 18:00
- 12-Hour Format: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM (used in US, UK, etc.). Requires AM/PM designation
- Conversion: To convert 12-hour to 24-hour: Add 12 to PM times (except 12 PM)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate hours between two times?
Simply subtract the start time from the end time. For example, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes. If the end time is earlier than the start time (overnight shift), add 24 hours to the end time.
How do I handle overnight shifts (e.g., 10 PM to 6 AM)?
For overnight shifts spanning two calendar days, convert times to 24-hour format and add 24 hours to the end time if it's smaller than the start time. Example: 22:00 (10 PM) to 06:00 (6 AM next day) = 22:00 to 30:00 = 8 hours.
Should I include or exclude break time?
For gross work hours, include all time. For net work hours (actual time worked), subtract lunch breaks and other breaks. Most employment calculations use net work hours for payroll.
What's the difference between decimal hours and hours:minutes format?
Hours:minutes (8:30) is easier to read. Decimal hours (8.5) are better for calculations and payroll systems. To convert: 0.5 hours = 30 minutes, 0.25 hours = 15 minutes, 0.75 hours = 45 minutes.
How do I convert time units (hours to minutes, etc.)?
Use these conversions: 1 hour = 60 minutes = 3,600 seconds. Multiply to convert down (hours to minutes), divide to convert up (minutes to hours). Example: 2.5 hours × 60 = 150 minutes.
What time format should I use?
This calculator uses 24-hour (military time). 12-hour times are converted automatically. 12-hour times need AM/PM designation: 1 PM = 13:00, 12 AM = 00:00, 12 PM = 12:00.
How accurate are hours calculations?
Hours calculations are precise to the minute. For most applications (work tracking, billing), this is sufficient. For scientific precision requiring milliseconds, use specialized timestamp tools.
Can I calculate hours for multiple days?
This calculator handles same-day and overnight calculations. For multiple days spanning weeks or months, use our Date Calculator or Days Between Dates calculator instead.
How do I calculate overtime hours?
Calculate total work hours, subtract standard hours (usually 8), and multiply overtime hours by the overtime rate (typically 1.5x). Example: 10 total hours - 8 standard = 2 overtime hours.
What if I work split shifts?
Calculate each shift separately, then add them together. Example: Morning shift 6-11 AM (5 hours) + Evening shift 3-8 PM (5 hours) = 10 hours total. Subtract any unpaid time between shifts.
Official Hours Calculation & Time Reference Sources
All hours calculation information sourced from official technical and time standards:
⏱️ Calculator.net - Time Duration Calculator 📊 OmniCalculator - Time Difference Calculator 🕐 TimeAndDate - Time Duration Calculator 🧮 GIGACalculator - Hours Between Times Calculator 📋 Ablebits - Calculate Time in Excel 💼 Microsoft Support - Calculate Time Differences