Menu

Hours Calculator

Enter a start and end time, deduct any break, and get the total in hours and minutes — plus decimal hours for payroll. Add as many rows as you need, and overnight shifts are handled automatically.

 
7:30
Total (h:mm)7:30
Total (decimal)7.5 h

Times use a 24-hour clock. Overnight shifts (end earlier than start) wrap to the next day.

How to calculate hours worked

Subtract the start time from the end time, then take off any unpaid break:

Hours worked = (end time − start time) − break

Example. A shift from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours. Subtract a 30-minute lunch and you worked 7 hours 30 minutes, or 7.5 decimal hours.

Minutes to decimal hours chart

Payroll uses decimal hours. Here is how common minute amounts convert.

MinutesDecimalMinutesDecimal
15 min0.2540 min0.67
20 min0.3345 min0.75
30 min0.5060 min1.00

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate hours between two times?

Subtract the start time from the end time. For example, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours; subtract a 30-minute lunch and you have 7.5 worked hours. This calculator does it for you and handles minutes and overnight shifts automatically.

How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours?

Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours. For example, 7 hours 30 minutes = 7 + 30/60 = 7.5 decimal hours. Payroll systems use decimal hours, and the calculator shows both formats.

How does the calculator handle overnight shifts?

If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift crosses midnight and wraps to the next day. For example, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is counted as 8 hours.

Can I add up hours for a whole week?

Yes. Add a row for each day or shift and the calculator sums the total. For a structured weekly grid with pay and overtime, use the Time Card Calculator.

How do I subtract a lunch break?

Enter the unpaid break in minutes in the Break column for that row. The calculator deducts it from the worked time before totalling.

What is 7.5 hours in hours and minutes?

7.5 hours is 7 hours and 30 minutes, because 0.5 of an hour is 30 minutes. The calculator shows both the h:mm and decimal totals side by side.

Related tools

References

Reviewed by the GPTResume team. Last updated July 2026. Disclaimer: Results are for guidance only. Your employer's rounding and break rules may differ.