How it works
How to use this hours calculator
- Enter the start time and end time.
- Enter unpaid break minutes, or 0 if there is no break.
- Read decimal hours, clock form, and whether the shift crossed midnight.
Formula
The calculation formula
Elapsed hours = (End − Start, plus 24 h if the shift crosses midnight) − unpaid breakConvert start and end to minutes after midnight.
If the end is earlier, add 24 hours so the shift continues past midnight.
Subtract unpaid break minutes and divide by 60.
Worked examples
Example calculations
09:00 to 17:00 is 480 minutes. Subtract 30 minutes for lunch: 7.5 hours.
22:00 to 06:00 is 8 hours because the end time is treated as the next calendar day.
When to use it
Common use cases
- Log a 9-to-5 day minus lunch
- Count an overnight shift from 22:00 to 06:00
- See both decimal hours and HH:MM
Limits
Assumptions and limits
- Times are clock-of-day values with no time zone. Daylight-saving springs or falls are not modeled.
- An end time earlier than the start is an overnight shift, not an error.
- Equal start and end is 0 hours, not a 24-hour shift.
- A break longer than the shift is rejected.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How does the calculator handle a shift that crosses midnight?
If the end time is earlier than the start, 24 hours are added before subtracting. 22:00 to 06:00 is 8 hours.
Can I convert the result to a decimal for payroll?
Yes. The primary result is already decimal hours. Use Hours to Decimal if you are starting from a written 7:45 instead of two clock times.
Sources
Sources and review
- NIST SI Brochure — time units
Elapsed duration as a count of 60-minute hours
Accessed August 25, 2026