How to Calculate Hours Between Two Times

To calculate hours between two times, start by turning both times into minutes. Subtract the earlier time from the later time, then divide by 60 to get hours. This is the cleanest manual method and it works well for most same-day calculations.

If a time range crosses midnight, add 24 hours to the ending time before subtracting. For example, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is an overnight shift. That is 8 hours, not a negative number.

For quick checks, a time duration calculator is easier than mental math. It is especially useful when you are working with breaks, split shifts, or multiple examples in a row.