Choose both times
Enter the clock time when the period begins and ends.
Free elapsed time tool
Time Duration Calculator
Find the hours and minutes between two times. Overnight ranges and unpaid breaks are handled automatically.
Enter a start and end time
If the end is earlier than the start, it is treated as the next day.
Elapsed time
9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Total minutes
510
Decimal hours
8.50
Calculations happen in your browser. Times are not saved or sent anywhere.
How it works
Calculate hours between two times
Enter the start and end, then add a break if needed. The result updates as hours and minutes, total minutes, and decimal hours.
Subtract a break
Add lunch or another unpaid break in minutes when applicable.
Read the duration
Use hours and minutes for schedules or decimal hours for time sheets.
Examples
Common elapsed time calculations
A same-day work period with no break.
Subtract an unpaid lunch break from the full span.
An overnight period automatically continues into the next day.
A short afternoon interval equals 105 total minutes.
The formula
End time − start time − break
Convert each clock time to minutes after midnight. Add 1,440 minutes when the range crosses midnight, subtract the break, then divide the result by 60.
FAQ
Time duration questions
How do I calculate the hours between two times?
Convert both times to minutes after midnight and subtract the start from the end. This calculator performs the conversion automatically.
Can this handle a shift that crosses midnight?
Yes. When the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator treats the end as occurring on the next day.
Can I subtract a lunch break?
Yes. Enter the break in minutes and it will be subtracted from the elapsed time.
What are decimal hours?
Decimal hours express minutes as a fraction of an hour. For example, 7 hours and 15 minutes equals 7.25 hours.
What happens if the break is longer than the time range?
The result is limited to zero and the calculator displays a warning so the inputs can be corrected.