Hours Calculator
Find how many hours and minutes are between two times. Subtract a break and see the result in decimal hours and pay.
Hours worked—
Decimal hours—
Total minutes—
Pay—
How to calculate hours between two times
- Convert both times to 24-hour time. 5:30 PM becomes 17:30.
- Subtract the start time from the end time. 17:30 − 9:00 = 8 hours 30 minutes.
- Subtract any unpaid break. 8:30 − 0:30 = 8 hours.
- If the end time is earlier than the start time, add 24 hours first. That is an overnight shift.
Common shift lengths
| Shift | Break | Hours | Decimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | None | 8:00 | 8.00 |
| 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 30 min | 7:30 | 7.50 |
| 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | 30 min | 8:00 | 8.00 |
| 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM | 30 min | 8:00 | 8.00 |
| 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM | None | 12:00 | 12.00 |
| 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM | None | 8:00 | 8.00 |
Need a full week? Use the time card calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is 9 to 5?
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours. With a 30 minute unpaid lunch it is 7.5 hours of paid time.
How many hours is 7am to 7pm?
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM is 12 hours.
How do I calculate hours for a shift that goes past midnight?
Add 24 hours to the end time, then subtract. 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is (6 + 24) − 22 = 8 hours. The calculator does this automatically.