Hours Calculator – Time Worked
Calculate total hours worked between start and end times, with break deduction.
How to Calculate Hours Between Times
To find hours between two times: convert both to 24-hour format (if needed), subtract start from end. If the result is negative (crossing midnight), add 24 hours.
Example: 9:30 AM to 5:45 PM = 17:45 − 09:30 = 8 hours 15 minutes = 8.25 hours. For 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM (overnight): (24:00 − 22:00) + 6:30 = 2:00 + 6:30 = 8.5 hours.
Converting Minutes to Decimal Hours
Payroll and billing systems often use decimal hours instead of hours:minutes. To convert: decimal hours = hours + (minutes / 60).
8 hours 30 minutes = 8 + 30/60 = 8.5 hours. 7 hours 45 minutes = 7 + 45/60 = 7.75 hours. 6 hours 20 minutes = 6 + 20/60 = 6.333 hours.
To reverse: take the decimal portion × 60 to get minutes. 8.75 hours → 0.75 × 60 = 45 minutes → 8 hours 45 minutes.
Weekly Hours and Overtime
In the US, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay (1.5× regular rate) for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Some states have additional rules — California, for example, requires daily overtime for hours over 8 in a day.
Track your weekly hours carefully if you are hourly. Use this calculator to sum shifts across a week, ensuring you capture all hours including short shifts that may not seem significant individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add up multiple time intervals?
Calculate each interval in decimal hours, then sum all decimals, then convert back to hours:minutes if needed. Example: 2.5 + 3.75 + 4.25 = 10.5 hours = 10 hours 30 minutes.
How do I account for breaks?
Subtract break time from total hours. If you worked 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch: total time = 8.5 hours − 0.5 = 8.0 paid hours. Paid vs unpaid break policies vary by employer and jurisdiction.
What if my shift crosses midnight?
Add 24 hours to the end time when the end time is smaller than the start time. Example: start 11:00 PM (23:00), end 7:00 AM (7:00 + 24 = 31:00): 31:00 − 23:00 = 8 hours.