Work Hours Calculator
Calculate work hours between start and end times. Get totals in decimal hours and hours:minutes format. Perfect for timesheets, payroll, and project tracking.
Time Calculator
Entry 1
Calculate Hours Per Period
Automate time tracking for your team
Stop manual calculations and ensure accurate payroll.
Quick Tips
- • Enter times in 24-hour format (or use AM/PM selector)
- • Handles overnight shifts automatically
- • Add multiple entries for split shifts
- • Decimal format is ideal for payroll
- • Use period calculator for salary planning
Related Tools
- Time Card Calculator →Weekly timesheet calculator
- Paycheck Calculator →Calculate take-home pay
How to Calculate Work Hours Between Times
Calculating work hours between two times is essential for accurate timekeeping, payroll processing, and project management. Our work hours calculator simplifies this process by automatically handling complex scenarios like overnight shifts and break deductions.
Understanding Time Formats
The calculator displays results in two formats to meet different needs:
- Decimal hours: Shows time as decimal numbers (e.g., 8.5 hours). Perfect for payroll systems and calculations.
- Hours:minutes format: Displays time in familiar format (e.g., 8h 30m). Easier for visual understanding and reporting.
Common Use Cases
Daily Time Tracking
Calculate hours worked in a single shift by entering start time, end time, and break duration. The calculator automatically handles lunch breaks and other unpaid time.
Split Shift Management
Use multiple entries to track split shifts or different work periods in one day. The running total shows combined hours across all entries.
Overnight Shifts
The calculator automatically handles shifts that cross midnight. For example, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM correctly calculates as 8 hours (minus breaks).
Period Calculations
Beyond daily calculations, use the period calculator to determine work hours over longer timeframes:
- Weekly hours: Multiply daily hours by days worked per week
- Monthly hours: Based on yearly total divided by 12 months
- Yearly hours: Accounts for vacation time and unpaid leave
Tips for Accurate Calculations
- Always account for unpaid break time to ensure accurate hourly calculations
- Use 24-hour format or pay attention to AM/PM to avoid confusion
- For overnight shifts, enter times as they occur chronologically
- Double-check calculations against your employer's time tracking system
- Keep records of calculated hours for payroll verification
Integration with Payroll
Most payroll systems require hours in decimal format. Our calculator provides both formats, making it easy to transfer data to accounting software or timekeeping systems. The decimal format also simplifies overtime calculations and pay rate multiplications.
Need more advanced time tracking features? Explore our time card calculatorfor full weekly timesheets, or check out tinyteam's automated time trackingfor comprehensive workforce management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate hours between two times?
Enter your start time and end time, then subtract any break time. The calculator will automatically compute the total hours in both decimal format (e.g., 8.5 hours) and hours:minutes format (e.g., 8h 30m). It handles overnight shifts that cross midnight automatically.
What's the difference between decimal hours and hours:minutes?
Decimal hours express time as a decimal number (e.g., 8.5 hours for 8 hours and 30 minutes), which is useful for payroll calculations. Hours:minutes format shows the same time as 8h 30m, which is easier to understand visually.
Can I calculate multiple work periods at once?
Yes! Use the 'Add Entry' button to calculate multiple work periods. This is useful for split shifts, multiple jobs, or tracking different tasks. The calculator will show a running total of all entries.
How do I calculate monthly and yearly work hours?
Set your typical hours per day and days per week in the calculator. It will automatically compute weekly, monthly (based on 52 weeks ÷ 12 months), and yearly totals. You can adjust weeks per year if you take unpaid time off.
Does this handle overnight shifts?
Yes, the calculator automatically handles shifts that cross midnight. For example, if you start at 10:00 PM and end at 6:00 AM, it will correctly calculate 8 hours (minus any breaks).
