Time Duration Calculator
The time duration calculator computes the elapsed time between two times of day. Get results in hours and minutes, total minutes, and total seconds.
Handles overnight durations automatically — if the end time is earlier than the start time, it assumes the period spans midnight. Perfect for shift work, travel planning, or tracking time spent on tasks.
How it works
Duration = end time − start time (in minutes). If the end time is earlier than the start time, 24 hours (1440 minutes) are added to account for overnight spans. Total seconds = total minutes × 60.
Use cases
- Calculating work shift length
- Tracking time spent on a task
- Computing travel duration
- Finding elapsed time between events
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the hours between two times?
Convert both times to minutes since midnight and subtract the start from the end: duration = end time − start time. For example, 8:30 to 17:00 is 1020 − 510 = 510 minutes, which equals 8 hours and 30 minutes. The calculator also shows the result as total minutes and total seconds (total minutes × 60).
How does the calculator handle overnight shifts?
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the period crosses midnight and adds 24 hours (1440 minutes) to the result. A shift from 22:00 to 06:00 therefore returns 8 hours instead of a negative value. The adjustment is automatic, with no extra setting required.
How many hours is a 9 to 5 work day?
From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is exactly 8 hours, or 480 minutes. If you take a 1-hour unpaid lunch break, the worked time drops to 7 hours. This calculator returns the gross duration between the two times, so deduct any breaks separately.
How do I convert a duration in minutes to hours and minutes?
Divide the total minutes by 60: the quotient is the hours and the remainder is the minutes. For example, 510 minutes ÷ 60 = 8 with a remainder of 30, so 8 hours 30 minutes. To get the duration in seconds, multiply the total minutes by 60.
How do I track time spent on a task?
Note the clock time when you start and when you finish, then enter both into the calculator to get the elapsed time in hours, minutes, and seconds. Because overnight spans are handled automatically, it also works for late-night sessions. For tasks spanning multiple days, use a date-based duration calculator instead.