Hours Between Times Calculator
Find the hours and minutes between a start and end time, with an optional unpaid break, shown as both decimal hours and hours and minutes. Handles overnight shifts. Calculates in your browser.
Time worked
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How it works
The tool measures the span from the start time to the end time, then subtracts any unpaid break. If the end time is earlier than the start it assumes the shift runs past midnight, so a 10 PM → 6 AM shift correctly reads as eight hours rather than a negative number.
Hours are shown both as a decimal (handy for payroll, where 8 ½ hours is 8.5) and as hours and minutes. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.
What this does
This calculator finds the hours and minutes between a start and end time, with an optional unpaid break, shown as both decimal hours and hours-and-minutes, including overnight shifts.
How to use it
- Enter a start time.
- Enter an end time.
- Add any unpaid break minutes.
- Read the result in decimal and hours-and-minutes.
How it works
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the period is assumed to cross midnight and the full span is counted.
duration = end time − start time − break
Understanding your result
The decimal-hours figure is what payroll systems usually expect, while hours-and-minutes is easier to read at a glance. The break is subtracted, so paid time is less than the raw span, and an end earlier than the start is treated as an overnight shift rather than a negative number.
Example
From 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute break is 8.0 hours, or 8 hours 0 minutes.
Sources & methodology
Last updated .
Frequently asked questions
Does it work for overnight shifts?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the tool assumes the period runs past midnight and counts the full span.
Why show decimal hours?
Payroll and billing usually use decimal hours — 8 hours 30 minutes is 8.5 — so both formats are shown for convenience.
Is my data stored?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.
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