⏰ Hours Calculator

Calculate work hours with precision – supports 12/24 hour formats and break deductions

Select Time Format:

12 Hour Clock

24 Hour Clock

Start Time:

End Time:

Deduct Breaks:

minutes

📊 Answer:

Total Time (hh:mm)	00:00
In Decimal Hours	0.00 hours
In Minutes	0 minutes

📖 How to Use This Calculator

Step-by-Step Guide:

Choose your time format: Select between 12-hour (with AM/PM) or 24-hour clock format
Enter start time: Input your work start time in hh:mm format (e.g., 09:00 or 9:00)
Enter end time: Input your work end time in hh:mm format (e.g., 17:30 or 5:30)
Add breaks (optional): Enter total break time in minutes (lunch breaks, rest periods, etc.)
Click Calculate: View your total work hours in multiple formats

Example 1: Standard Work Day
Start Time: 09:00 AM | End Time: 05:30 PM | Break: 30 minutes
Result: 8:00 hours (8.00 decimal hours)

Example 2: Evening Shift
Start Time: 14:00 (24-hour) | End Time: 22:00 | Break: 0 minutes
Result: 8:00 hours (8.00 decimal hours)

Understanding Time Formats:

Digital Time (hh:mm): Shows hours and minutes separately (e.g., 7:15 means 7 hours and 15 minutes)

Decimal Hours: Shows time as a decimal number (e.g., 7.25 hours). This format is commonly used for payroll calculations.

Converting Between Formats:

Minutes to Decimal Hours:
15 minutes ÷ 60 = 0.25 hours
30 minutes ÷ 60 = 0.50 hours
45 minutes ÷ 60 = 0.75 hours

Decimal Hours to Minutes:
0.25 hours × 60 = 15 minutes
0.50 hours × 60 = 30 minutes
0.75 hours × 60 = 45 minutes

Common Use Cases:

Calculating daily work hours for timesheets
Computing overtime and regular hours
Tracking billable hours for freelancers
Determining payroll hours for employees
Managing project time allocation

Hours Calculator: Easily Calculate Work Hours and Payroll

Keeping track of work hours can be confusing, especially when converting between standard time and decimal hours for payroll. An Hours Calculator simplifies the process by allowing you to quickly add up start and end times, convert them into decimal hours, and calculate accurate totals for timesheets and time cards.

What is an Hours Calculator?

An Hours Calculator is a tool designed to help employees, freelancers, and business owners calculate work hours between a start time and an end time. Instead of manually adding hours and minutes, the calculator does the math for you—showing total hours worked in both standard digital time (HH:MM) and decimal time (e.g., 7.25 hours).

For payroll, decimal hours are essential because most pay systems multiply hours by hourly wage using decimals.

Why Use an Hours Calculator?

Using an Hours Calculator saves time and reduces errors. Here are key benefits:

Accuracy: Avoid mistakes from manual math.
Payroll Ready: Instantly convert hours to decimals for wage calculations.
Simplicity: Enter times without colons (e.g., 1215 for 12:15).
Efficiency: Add multiple shifts or daily times for a complete timesheet.

Whether you’re an employee filling a time card, a manager tracking labor costs, or a freelancer billing hours, an Hours Calculator makes the process faster and stress-free.

How to Use an Hours Calculator

Most calculators work with a few simple rules:

Enter start and end times: Example: 900 for 9:00 AM, 1745 for 5:45 PM.
No dots or colons needed: Input as integers only.
Single-digit entries default to full hours: Enter 1 and it will assume 1:00.
Automatic AM/PM handling: Assumes 12 PM = noon and 12 AM = midnight.

Example:

Start Time: 830 (8:30 AM)
End Time: 1700 (5:00 PM)
Total Hours: 8 hours 30 minutes = 8.5 decimal hours

Converting Between Digital Time and Decimal Hours

Most time cards display total hours like 7:15 (7 hours, 15 minutes). Payroll systems require this in decimal hours.

Formula:

Decimal Hours = Hours + (Minutes ÷ 60)

Example 1: Convert 7:15 to Decimal Hours

Hours = 7
Minutes = 15
Conversion: 15 ÷ 60 = 0.25
Decimal Hours = 7 + 0.25 = 7.25 hours

This means 7 hours and 15 minutes equals 7.25 decimal hours.

Example 2: Convert Decimal Hours Back to Minutes

Formula:

Minutes = Decimal × 60

Decimal = 0.25 hours
0.25 × 60 = 15 minutes

So, 0.25 hours = 15 minutes.

Conversion Table: Minutes to Decimal Hours

Minutes	Decimal Hours
5	0.08
10	0.17
15	0.25
20	0.33
30	0.50
45	0.75
60	1.00

This table makes it easy to see conversions without doing the math every time.

Calculating Overtime with an Hours Calculator

If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you may need to calculate overtime hours. An Hours Calculator helps by:

Adding up all daily hours
Converting totals into decimal
Separating regular hours (first 40) and overtime hours (anything beyond)

Example:

Monday: 8.5 hours
Tuesday: 9.0 hours
Wednesday: 8.0 hours
Thursday: 8.5 hours
Friday: 9.5 hours

Total = 43.5 hours

Regular Hours = 40
Overtime Hours = 3.5

Timesheet Using Hours Calculator

Day	Start	End	Total Time	Decimal Hours
Monday	9:00	5:00	8:00	8.0
Tuesday	8:30	5:30	9:00	9.0
Wednesday	9:00	5:15	8:15	8.25
Thursday	9:15	6:00	8:45	8.75
Friday	8:45	6:15	9:30	9.5

Total Hours Worked = 43.5 decimal hours

This makes it simple to calculate wages:

Total Pay = Hours Worked × Hourly Rate

Example: 43.5 hours × $20/hour = $870.00

Can I enter times in AM/PM format?

Yes. Most calculators automatically handle AM/PM, assuming 12 PM = noon and 12 AM = midnight.

What if my shift crosses midnight?

If you start at 10:00 PM and end at 2:00 AM, the calculator correctly adds the overnight hours (4 hours).

Why do I need decimal hours?

Because payroll systems and billing platforms multiply hours × hourly rate using decimals—not minutes.

Can I use an Hours Calculator for multiple shifts?

Yes. You can add daily or split shifts (e.g., morning and evening) and get an accurate total.

Using an Hours Calculator

An Hours Calculator is an essential tool for employees, freelancers, and managers who need fast and accurate time tracking. It eliminates manual errors, speeds up payroll preparation, and ensures fair payment for every minute worked.

By mastering simple conversions between digital hours (HH:MM) and decimal hours, you’ll be able to confidently use any timesheet, time card, or payroll system.

If you need a complete weekly or monthly breakdown, pair this with a Time Card Calculator for full labor cost analysis.

In short: An Hours Calculator saves time, prevents mistakes, and ensures accurate payroll. Start using one today to take the stress out of tracking work hours.