Hours Calculator
Use this free Hours Calculator to calculate your Hours worked instantly and accurately.
Start & end
Hours worked
What is an Hours Calculator?
An Hours Calculator computes the total hours and minutes between a start time and an end time, with optional unpaid break deduction. Enter your start time, end time, and break duration in minutes, and the calculator returns the net hours worked in both standard (hours:minutes) and decimal formats. Employees, freelancers, managers, and small business owners use hours calculators to track daily work hours, verify timesheets, prepare payroll data, and ensure accurate time reporting. Unlike a time card calculator that aggregates a full week, this tool focuses on a single shift or time span, making it ideal for quick calculations on the go.
How to calculate hours manually (the formula)
To calculate hours between two times manually: convert both times to total minutes past midnight, subtract, then subtract any break. The formula is: Total Minutes = (EndHour × 60 + EndMin) − (StartHour × 60 + StartMin) − BreakMinutes. If the end time is earlier than the start time (overnight shift), add 1,440 minutes (24 hours) to the end time before subtracting. Then convert back: Hours = floor(Total Minutes / 60), Minutes = Total Minutes % 60. For example, start at 09:00, end at 17:30, break 30 minutes: (17 × 60 + 30) − (9 × 60 + 0) − 30 = 1,050 − 540 − 30 = 480 minutes = 8 hours 0 minutes. Decimal hours = 480 / 60 = 8.0.
Example calculation
Suppose you start work at 8:15 AM and finish at 5:45 PM with a 45-minute unpaid lunch. Enter start = 08:15, end = 17:45, break = 45. Convert to minutes: 08:15 = 8 × 60 + 15 = 495 minutes. 17:45 = 17 × 60 + 45 = 1,065 minutes. Total = 1,065 − 495 − 45 = 525 minutes. Hours = floor(525 / 60) = 8 hours. Minutes = 525 % 60 = 45 minutes. Result: 8 hours 45 minutes. Decimal hours = 525 / 60 = 8.75. You worked 8.75 hours, which at a $20/hour rate equals $175.00 before deductions.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to include break time — An 8.5-hour shift with a 30-minute lunch equals 8.0 paid hours. Forgetting the break overstates your hours by 30 minutes.
- Incorrectly handling overnight shifts — If you start at 22:00 and end at 06:00, the end time is numerically smaller. You must add 24 hours to the end time for a correct calculation.
- Using 12-hour format without AM/PM — Entering 1:00 without specifying AM/PM is ambiguous. Always use 24-hour format (01:00 or 13:00) to avoid confusion.
- Mixing minutes and decimal hours — 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 decimal hours, not 7.45. Always divide minutes by 60 for decimal conversion.
- Rounding too early — Rounding intermediate results before the final calculation introduces errors. Keep full precision until the end, then round as needed.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours are between two times?
Enter the start time and end time in 24-hour format, plus any break duration. The calculator returns the total hours and minutes worked between the two times.
How do I calculate hours worked including breaks?
Enter your start time, end time, and the number of unpaid break minutes. The calculator subtracts the break from the total duration to give you net hours worked.
What happens if I work past midnight?
If your end time is earlier than your start time, the calculator assumes you crossed midnight and adds 24 hours to correctly calculate overnight shifts.
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add to the hours. For example, 7 hours 30 minutes = 7 + (30 ÷ 60) = 7.5 decimal hours. The calculator shows both formats.
How accurate is the hours calculation?
Results are accurate to the minute. The calculator handles all edge cases including midnight crossover and minute-level break deductions.
Can I use this for payroll purposes?
Yes, the decimal hours format is suitable for payroll. Remember that this calculates a single shift at a time. For weekly totals, use the Time Card Calculator.