How does the time duration calculator work?

Enter a start time and end time (with optional dates) and it returns the exact elapsed duration in hours and minutes — handling overnight spans, like 22:30 to 06:15, correctly.

Can it calculate durations that cross midnight?

Yes — if the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the next day (or uses the dates you provide), so night shifts and overnight events compute correctly.

Can I add or subtract multiple time periods?

Yes — sum several durations (e.g., timesheet entries of 3:45, 2:20, and 4:50) to get a total of 10 hours 55 minutes, or subtract breaks from a span.

How do I convert the result to decimal hours?

Minutes ÷ 60 gives the decimal part: 7 hours 45 minutes = 7.75 hours. The calculator shows both formats since payroll systems typically bill in decimal hours.

Does it handle 12-hour and 24-hour formats?

Both — enter 2:30 PM or 14:30 interchangeably. Results display in your preferred format.

Time Duration Calculator — Hours Between Two Times, Free

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Time Duration Calculator — Hours Between Times, Done Right

From 9:20 AM to 5:45 PM is... 8 hours 25 minutes — but the mental math gets slippery, and a 10:30 PM to 6:15 AM night shift breaks most people's arithmetic entirely. This free calculator returns the exact duration between any two times, handles overnight spans automatically, deducts breaks, sums multiple entries, and shows decimal hours for payroll. Instant and free, no signup.

The Overnight Problem, Solved

Subtracting clock times fails when a span crosses midnight: 06:15 − 22:30 is negative. The correct method adds 24 hours to the end time first: (06:15 + 24:00) − 22:30 = 7 hours 45 minutes. The calculator detects end-before-start automatically, so night-shift workers, security staff, and international travelers get correct answers without thinking about it.

Decimal Hours for Payroll and Invoicing

Minutes	Decimal	Minutes	Decimal
15	0.25	40	0.67
20	0.33	45	0.75
30	0.50	50	0.83

Timesheet systems bill 7:45 as 7.75 hours. Mixing the two formats — treating 7.45 as 7:45 — shorts someone 18 minutes per entry, which is why the calculator always displays both.

Everyday Uses

Timesheets and freelancing — total billable hours across multiple work sessions minus breaks.
Shift planning — verify scheduled shift lengths, including overnights, comply with labor rules.
Travel — real flight or drive durations across departure and arrival times.
Cooking, studying, training — elapsed-time tracking for anything with a start and end.

Adding Multiple Durations

Sum sessions like 3:45 + 2:20 + 4:50 by adding minutes first (45+20+50 = 115 = 1:55), carrying the hour: total 10:55. Or skip the carrying and let the calculator total any list of durations instantly — the common workflow for weekly timesheet reconciliation.

Free and Instant

Runs entirely in your browser with no account or limits — bookmark it next to your timesheet.

Duration
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