How Many Hours Between Two Times?
Last updated: August 2026
Use the Time Duration Calculator below — enter your start and end times, then click Calculate to get the duration.
How to Calculate the Duration Between Two Times
Convert both clock times to total minutes since midnight, then subtract the start from the end. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the span crosses midnight — add 24 hours (1,440 minutes) to the end time first. For example, from 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM: 9:15 is 555 minutes and 5:45 PM is 1,065 minutes, so the duration is 1,065 − 555 = 510 minutes, or 8 hours and 30 minutes (8.5 decimal hours for payroll).
Hours Between Common Times
These are the most searched start/end pairs — the exact durations are pre-calculated for you.
| Start – End Time | Duration (h:m) | Decimal Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 8:00 | 8.0 |
| 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 8:00 | 8.0 |
| 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM | 9:00 | 9.0 |
| 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | 8:00 | 8.0 |
| 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 10:00 | 10.0 |
| 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 8:00 | 8.0 |
| 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM | 8:30 | 8.5 |
| 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM (overnight) | 8:00 | 8.0 |
| 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM (overnight) | 8:00 | 8.0 |
| 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 12:00 | 12.0 |
Decimal Hours for Payroll & Timesheets
Payroll systems record time as decimal hours instead of hours and minutes. Divide minutes by 60 to convert: 30 minutes = 0.5 hours, 15 minutes = 0.25 hours, 45 minutes = 0.75 hours. A shift from 9:15 to 5:45 is 8.5 hours — 510 minutes ÷ 60 = 8.5. Use our overtime pay calculator to turn those hours into earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Data sources: Time unit definitions per the International System of Units (SI), NIST time and frequency standards, and standard payroll rounding practices.
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Duration Quick Facts
- 9am – 5pm = 8 hours
- 7am – 3pm = 8 hours
- 8am – 6pm = 10 hours
- 10pm – 6am = 8 hours (overnight)
- 30 minutes = 0.5 decimal hours
- 9:15 – 5:45 = 8.5 hours
