Time Duration Calculator

Enter two clock times to find the elapsed duration, decimal hours and total minutes. Overnight spans are handled automatically.

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How long is it fromto?

Use 24-hour time such as 09:00 or 17:30. If the ending time is earlier than the starting time, the calculator assumes the span crosses midnight.

Net duration
Break minutes
Elapsed before break
Total minutes
Decimal hours
Crosses midnight

How to calculate time duration

Convert both times to minutes after midnight and subtract the starting time from the ending time. When the ending time is earlier, add 24 hours to represent an overnight span. Any break minutes are then subtracted from the elapsed duration.

Example: 09:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute breakThe elapsed span is 8 hours 30 minutes. Subtracting 30 minutes gives 8 hours, or 8.00 decimal hours.

Work shifts, payroll and elapsed time

Decimal hours are useful for timesheets, billing and payroll. Total minutes are useful when you need precise duration without converting between hours and minutes.

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Common questions

Can this calculate an overnight shift?

Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the end occurs on the following day.

How are breaks handled?

The break value is subtracted from the elapsed duration. A break cannot reduce the net duration below zero.

What are decimal hours?

Decimal hours express minutes as a fraction of an hour. For example, 8 hours 30 minutes equals 8.5 hours.