Hours Calculator
Calculate the duration between a start time and an end time — as hours and minutes, total minutes, and decimal hours. Handles overnight shifts that cross midnight.
Input
24-hour format, e.g. 09:00 or 22:30.
24-hour format, e.g. 17:30 or 06:00.
Adds 24 hours. When the end time is already before the start time this is applied automatically.
Output
Hours and minutes between the two times.
Useful for timesheets and payroll (e.g. 8.5 = 8h 30m).
Guides
The Hours Calculator works out how much time passes between a start time and an end time. Enter two clock times and it returns the duration three ways at once: as hours and minutes ("8h 30m"), as a total number of minutes, and as decimal hours (8.5) — the format most timesheets and payroll systems expect.
Everything runs in your browser. Your times are never uploaded, so it is safe to use for private schedules, shift logs, and billing records.
How to use it
- Enter the start time in 24-hour format, e.g.
09:00. - Enter the end time, e.g.
17:30. - If the shift runs past midnight into the next day, tick End time is on the next day.
- Read off the duration, total minutes, and decimal hours.
The result updates automatically as you type — there is no button to press.
Handling shifts that cross midnight
If the end time is earlier than the start time — for example a shift from 22:00 to 06:00 — the calculator assumes the clock rolled past midnight and adds 24 hours automatically, giving 8 hours rather than a meaningless negative result.
The End time is on the next day checkbox forces that same 24-hour wrap even when the end time is not earlier than the start. This is what tells the calculator how to read equal times: 08:00 to 08:00 with the box unchecked is 0 minutes (the same instant), while checking the box makes it a full 24-hour shift.
Frequently asked questions
What is decimal hours?
Decimal hours expresses minutes as a fraction of an hour instead of as a separate value. 8 hours and 30 minutes is 8.5 decimal hours, because 30 minutes is half an hour. Payroll and invoicing systems usually multiply an hourly rate by decimal hours, which is why it is shown here alongside the "8h 30m" form.
How do I convert 8h 30m to decimal?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours: 30 ÷ 60 = 0.5, so 8h 30m = 8.5 hours. The calculator does this for you and rounds to two decimal places.
Does it count breaks?
No. It measures the raw elapsed time between the two clock times. Subtract any unpaid break separately, or enter the times around the break.
What time format should I use?
Use 24-hour HH:MM format — 09:00 for 9 AM, 17:30 for 5:30 PM, 22:00 for 10 PM. Both fields must be filled in for a result to appear.
Is my data private?
Yes. All calculation happens locally in your browser. No times are sent to a server or stored anywhere.