How to use the hours calculator
This hours calculator finds the duration between two times and shows the result in hours and minutes plus decimal hours. Choose 12-hour or 24-hour format, enter the start time (hours and minutes), enter the end time, then click "Calculate duration." The result is the time span between the two times. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the end time is on the next day (e.g., 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM = 3 hours). Decimal hours are useful for payroll when you multiply by an hourly rate.
Calculating hours between two times is useful for time tracking, payroll, scheduling, and billing. You might need to know how many hours someone worked (e.g., 9:00 to 17:30 = 8.5 hours), how long an event lasts, or how many billable hours to charge. The calculator gives both a readable form (hours and minutes) and a decimal form (e.g., 8.5 hours) so you can use it for display or for further calculation. Many pay systems use decimal hours, so 8 hours 30 minutes is 8.5 hours for pay purposes.
The calculator runs entirely in your browser. There is no sign-up, no download, and no delay. It is designed to be mobile-friendly: the two-column layout stacks on small screens, and the time inputs are easy to use. For 12-hour format, use hours 1–12 (you can interpret AM/PM from context); for 24-hour format, use 0–23 (0 = midnight, 12 = noon, 23 = 11 PM). Times that cross midnight are handled automatically.
Bookmark this page for quick access whenever you need to find the duration between two times. This free hours calculator provides fast, clear results on any device.