Time Duration Calculator
Calculate the duration between two times, with optional break deduction.
What the Time Duration Calculator does
Duration is the end time minus the start time, less any unpaid break. The decimal hours figure matters for payroll, where 8 hours 30 minutes must be entered as 8.5, not 8.30.
Formula
Duration = End time − Start time (add 24 hours if it crosses midnight)Net duration = Gross duration − BreakDecimal hours = Minutes ÷ 60
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start time | text | Yes | 24-hour format, for example 09:00 or 14:30. |
| End time | text | Yes | — |
| Break | minutes | Optional | Accepts 0 or more. |
| Does it cross midnight? | one of 2 options | Yes | — |
How to use it
- Choose Does it cross midnight?.
- Enter Start time and End time.
- Optionally add Break.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
A shift from 09:00 to 17:30 with a 45-minute break.
- Start
- 09:00
- End
- 17:30
- Break
- 45
Gross 8h 30m, less 45 minutes = 7h 45m, or 7.75 decimal hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide by 60. 15 minutes is 0.25, 30 is 0.5, 45 is 0.75. Entering 7.45 instead of 7.75 for 7h 45m is a common payroll error.