Time Duration
Calculate the duration between two times in hours and minutes.
Calculating time duration
Time duration is the difference between a start and end time, expressed in hours and minutes. Converting to decimal hours is especially important for timesheets, billing, and payroll — most systems need a decimal (e.g. 7.5 hours) rather than hours and minutes (7h 30m).
Duration (minutes) = (End hours × 60 + End minutes) − (Start hours × 60 + Start minutes)
Hours = Duration ÷ 60 (integer part)
Minutes = Duration mod 60 (remainder)
Decimal hours = Duration ÷ 60
Example: 09:00 to 17:30
End: 17×60 + 30 = 1050 minutes
Start: 9×60 + 0 = 540 minutes
Duration = 1050 − 540 = 510 minutes = 8h 30m = 8.5 hoursDecimal hours reference table
| Minutes | Decimal hours | Minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | 0.083 | 10 min | 0.167 |
| 15 min | 0.25 | 20 min | 0.333 |
| 25 min | 0.417 | 30 min | 0.5 |
| 35 min | 0.583 | 40 min | 0.667 |
| 45 min | 0.75 | 50 min | 0.833 |
| 55 min | 0.917 | 60 min | 1 |
Common time duration scenarios
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the time between two times?
Enter a start and end time and the tool returns the duration in hours and minutes, handling periods that cross midnight.
Can it calculate hours worked for a timesheet?
Yes. Enter your clock-in and clock-out times to get the total duration, then subtract any unpaid breaks.
Does it handle times that pass midnight?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, it treats the period as crossing midnight into the next day.
How do I convert the result to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add to the hours — for example, 2 hours 30 minutes equals 2.5 decimal hours, which payroll systems often require.
Duration = End time − Start time in minutes. Decimal hours useful for timesheets.