Hours & Time Duration Calculator

To convert minutes into decimal format, divide the number of elapsed minutes by 60. For example:

• 15 minutes = 15 / 60 = 0.25 hours
• 30 minutes = 30 / 60 = 0.50 hours
• 45 minutes = 45 / 60 = 0.75 hours

If an employee works 7 hours and 45 minutes, their payable time is recorded as 7.75 decimal hours. Multiplying 7.75 by an hourly rate of $20.00 yields $155.00 in gross pay.

When a shift ends on the next calendar day (e.g., punch in at 7:00 PM and punch out at 7:45 AM), you must calculate across the midnight boundary:

1. Calculate hours worked before midnight: 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM = 5 hours.
2. Add hours worked after midnight: 12:00 AM to 7:45 AM = 7 hours 45 minutes.
3. Sum the two periods: 5h + 7h 45m = 12 hours 45 minutes gross duration.
4. Subtract your unpaid meal break (e.g. 45 minutes) = 12.00 net paid hours.

Our interactive calculator detects overnight shifts automatically when the end time is numerically earlier than the start time.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), bona fide meal periods lasting 30 minutes or longer where the employee is completely relieved of all duties are typically unpaid. Short rest pauses (5 to 20 minutes) must be counted as paid work hours.

To calculate net payable hours, deduct the total unpaid lunch minutes directly from the gross elapsed duration. For example, an 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM schedule equals 8.5 gross hours. Deducting a 30-minute unpaid lunch leaves exactly 8.00 net payable hours.

To calculate duration in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets:

• Same-day formula: =(B2 - A2) * 24
• Overnight shifts crossing midnight: =MOD(B2 - A2, 1) * 24
• With 30-minute unpaid break deducted: =(MOD(B2 - A2, 1) * 24) - (30/60)

Format the result cell as a Number with 2 decimal places to view standard payroll decimal hours.