Hours Between Times Calculator
Work out the hours between two times, including overnight shifts and breaks.
Good to know. A shift from 22:00 to 06:00 is 8 hours, not minus 16. Midnight is handled.
How it works
In plain words
Subtract the start time from the end time. If the end time is earlier, the shift runs past midnight, so add 24 hours. Then take off the break. Divide minutes by 60 for decimal hours.
The formula
minutes = end − start (+ 24 h if end < start) − break decimal hours = minutes ÷ 60
Worked example
From 09:00 to 17:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes. Minus a 30-minute break, that is 8 h 00 min, or 8 decimal hours.
Sources
No outside data or rates: this is plain arithmetic.
6 automated tests check its answers on every change.
About the hours between times calculator
Filling in a timesheet, checking a payslip or planning a shift pattern all come down to one question: how many hours is it from this time to that time? This calculator answers it, including the parts that trip people up.
Overnight shifts are handled automatically. If the end time is earlier than the start time, for example 22:00 to 06:00, the calculator assumes the shift ends the next morning, which gives 8 hours rather than a negative number.
Decimal hours are what most payroll systems and invoices use, and converting is a common source of mistakes. 7 hours 45 minutes is not 7.45 hours. It is 7.75, because 45 minutes is three quarters of an hour. To convert, divide the minutes by 60: 15 minutes is 0.25, 30 minutes is 0.5, 20 minutes is 0.33.
Enter any unpaid break in minutes and it will be subtracted. If your break is paid, leave it at 0. For shifts longer than 24 hours, or for adding up several shifts, use the time duration calculator instead.
Questions people ask
How do I calculate hours worked?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid breaks. 09:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute break is 8 hours.
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide by 60. 45 minutes is 0.75 hours, so 7 h 45 min is 7.75 hours.
What about shifts that go past midnight?
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator treats it as ending the next day. 22:00 to 06:00 is 8 hours.