How to Calculate Time Between Two Times

The basic idea is simple: subtract the start time from the end time. If the end is earlier than the start (overnight work, a shift that crosses midnight), add 24 hours first.

For example, a shift from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes because 17:30 minus 09:00 = 8:30. A shift from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM crosses midnight, so it's (24:00 − 22:00) + 6:00 = 2 + 6 = 8 hours.

Quick Reference: Common Work Shifts

Start	End	Duration
8:00 AM	5:00 PM	9 hours (1 hr lunch)
9:00 AM	5:00 PM	8 hours
9:00 AM	5:30 PM	8.5 hours
10:00 PM	6:00 AM	8 hours (overnight)
7:30 AM	4:00 PM	8.5 hours

Note: The "Time Between" result shows actual hours and minutes. If you want the paid hours, subtract any unpaid lunch break (e.g., a 9-hour span with a 1-hour lunch = 8 paid hours).

Converting Hours & Minutes to Decimal

Some timesheets and payroll systems want decimal hours. To convert minutes to a decimal, divide by 60:

Minutes	Decimal Hours
15 min	0.25
30 min	0.5
45 min	0.75
1 hr 30 min	1.5

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my total weekly work hours?

Work out each day's duration separately, then add the hours and minutes together. Minutes over 60 roll into hours (e.g., 8h30m + 8h30m = 17h).

What does "crossing midnight" mean?

It means a time span that passes 12:00 AM, like a night shift from 10 PM to 6 AM. The calculator handles this automatically by treating the end time as the next day.

Does this include lunch breaks?

No. It measures the raw time between the two clock times. You subtract lunch yourself to get paid hours.

Time Duration Calculator