Elapsed Time Calculator

How long is it from 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM? Enter two times of day and get the elapsed duration in hours and minutes, total minutes and decimal hours — with an option for periods that run past midnight.

Results

Formula

Convert both times to minutes since midnight and subtract:
Elapsed = (End − Start) in minutes, + 24 hours if it crosses midnight
Decimal hours are minutes ÷ 60 — the format payroll systems use.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the start time and end time (24-hour clock on most devices).
  2. If the period crosses midnight, choose “next day.”
  3. Press Calculate for the duration in three formats.
Elapsed Time Calculator — how the calculation works, illustrated
Elapsed Time Calculator — how the calculation works, illustrated

Worked example

From 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM.

  1. In minutes: 555 → 1,065.
  2. Difference: 510 minutes.
  3. As a duration: 8 hours 30 minutes (8.5 decimal hours).

Result: The elapsed time is 8 hours 30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Why does payroll use decimal hours?

Because pay rates multiply cleanly against decimals: 8.5 hours × $20 = $170. Minutes-and-hours format has to be converted before it can be priced.

What about seconds?

This calculator works to the minute, which covers scheduling, shifts and travel legs. For stopwatch precision, a dedicated timer is the right tool.

How do I handle a lunch break inside the span?

Calculate the full span, then subtract the break — or use the Hours Calculator, which takes a break deduction directly.

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