Hours Calculator
Enter a start and end time to see how many hours lie between them โ including break deduction, a decimal-hours view, and automatic detection of an overnight shift that runs past midnight.
Result
8 h 0 min
Net duration
- In decimal hours
- 8 h
- Gross duration (without break)
- 8 h 30 min
- Break deducted
- 0 h 30 min
- Overnight shift (past midnight)?
- No
Formula
Net duration = (end time โ start time) โ break
The calculator converts the start and end time into minutes since midnight and subtracts them. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift runs into the next day (overnight shift) and adds 24 hours. The entered break is then subtracted.
What the variables mean
- Start
- Start time โ h:min
- Eind
- End time โ h:min
- P
- Break โ minutes
Worked examples
Work start 08:00, work end 16:30, 30-minute break
โ 8 hours net (8.00 decimal hours).
Night shift from 22:00 to 06:00, no break
โ 8 hours โ the calculator automatically recognises that this runs past midnight.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to enter the break, which makes the net duration too high.
- Confusing decimal hours with hours and minutes: 7.30 hours is not 7 hours 30 minutes, but 7 hours 18 minutes (0.30 ร 60 = 18).
- Forgetting, for a night shift, that the start and end actually fall on two different calendar days.
Tips
- Use the decimal-hours view when you need to add several periods together โ it is easier to work with than separate hours and minutes.
- For long shifts, check whether the legally required minimum break (for example from 6 hours of work) has already been included.
Advantages
- Instant result in both hours:minutes and decimal hours.
- Automatically detects an overnight shift past midnight.
Limitations
- If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator always assumes exactly a one-day difference; for longer periods with a specific date, a date/days calculator is a better fit.
- Legally required minimum breaks are not automatically checked; the entered break is deducted exactly as entered.
When to use it
- Recording working time for payroll.
- Calculating billable hours as a freelancer.
- Determining the duration of a train journey, flight or competition.
- Correctly logging night shifts in healthcare or manufacturing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert minutes to hours?
Divide the number of minutes by 60. For example: 90 minutes รท 60 = 1.5 hours.
How do I convert hours to decimal numbers?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the number of whole hours. So 7 hours 30 minutes becomes 7 + 30/60 = 7.5 decimal hours. This calculator shows that result automatically.
What are industrial minutes or decimal hours?
Industrial minutes (also called decimal hours) split an hour into 100 units instead of 60 โ useful for payroll. 8:30 corresponds to 8.5 decimal hours.
Does the calculator account for a night shift?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator automatically assumes the shift runs into the next day and calculates the duration correctly.
How do I add several hours together?
Add the hours and minutes separately; at 60 minutes or more, convert this into whole hours. The easiest way is with the decimal hours from this calculator: you can simply add those together.
How many days are 1000 hours?
Divide the number of hours by 24. 1000 hours รท 24 โ 41.7 days.
Can I also add hours to a time instead of calculating a duration?
This calculator computes the duration between two times. If you instead want to add a number of hours to a start time to find an end time, you calculate in the opposite direction: start time + hours = new time.
In summary
Whether it is working time, a travel duration or a night shift: with a start and end time plus an optional break, this calculator instantly gives a reliable duration in hours, minutes and decimal hours.
Sources
Was this calculator helpful?