Elapsed Time Between Two Times Calculator
Find the exact duration between a start and end time, including shifts that cross midnight, in hours and minutes.
How it works
Elapsed = end − start (+24 h if it crosses midnight) − break
The duration is the end time minus the start time in minutes; when the end is earlier than the start the shift crossed midnight, so a full day (1,440 minutes) is added. Subtracting an unpaid break gives net worked time, and dividing by 60 converts to decimal hours — the form payroll systems expect, where 90 minutes is 1.50 hours, not 1.30.
Worked example
From 09:00 to 17:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes gross. Subtract a 30-minute break and you get 8 hours 0 minutes of worked time, which is 8.00 decimal hours.
Frequently asked questions
Does it handle overnight shifts?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time — say 22:00 to 06:00 — it assumes the clock passed midnight and adds 24 hours, giving 8 hours rather than a negative result.
Why convert to decimal hours?
Payroll and billing use decimal hours, where fractions of an hour are tenths, not minutes. 8 hours 30 minutes is 8.5 decimal hours; multiplying that by an hourly rate gives the correct pay.
What time format should I use?
Enter 24-hour HH:MM, so 1:30 PM is 13:30 and 9 AM is 09:00. This avoids AM/PM ambiguity, especially around noon and midnight.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.