Hours between two times
Subtract the start time from the end time, then take off any unpaid break. 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes; minus a 30-minute lunch, that is 8 hours worked.
Shifts past midnight
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift ended the next day. 10:00 PM to 6:15 AM is 8 hours 15 minutes.
Decimal hours for payroll
Payroll systems and timesheets usually want decimal hours: minutes divided by 60. 8 hours 15 minutes is 8.25 hours; 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75.
| Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|
| 15 | 0.25 |
| 20 | 0.33 |
| 30 | 0.50 |
| 40 | 0.67 |
| 45 | 0.75 |
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, short rest breaks of 5 to 20 minutes are counted as paid work time, while bona fide meal periods of 30 minutes or more, when the employee is completely relieved from duty, can be unpaid. Only subtract unpaid breaks. For a whole week with overtime, use the time card calculator.
How this works
The page converts both times to minutes after midnight and subtracts them. If the end is earlier than the start, it adds 24 hours, since the shift ended the next day. The unpaid break is then subtracted. The result is shown in hours and minutes, in decimal hours (minutes ÷ 60, rounded to two decimals) and in minutes.
Frequently asked
How do I calculate hours worked?
End time minus start time, minus unpaid breaks. 9:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute break is 8 hours.
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide by 60. 45 minutes is 0.75 hours.
What if the shift goes past midnight?
The page adds 24 hours when the end is earlier than the start.
Should breaks be subtracted?
Only unpaid meal breaks. Short rest breaks are usually paid in the US.
Sources
Reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · test vectors fixtures/calculators/date/hours-calculator/