Hours between times
Work out the number of hours between two times of day — handles an overnight span (e.g. 22:00 to 06:00) automatically.
Result
Hours between
How to use this tool
- Enter the start time.
- Enter the end time.
- Read the number of hours between them.
Assumptions
- If the end time is earlier than the start time, assumes it falls on the next day (an overnight shift) rather than being an entry error.
Technical details: what the fields mean
- Start time
startTime - The earlier time of day.
- End time
endTime - The later time of day — if this is earlier than the start time, it's assumed to be the next day (an overnight span).
Methodology
Elapsed hours = (end time − start time) in minutes ÷ 60. If the end time is earlier than the start time, 24 hours is added and the span is treated as ending the next day. No break time is deducted, so this is elapsed time, not paid hours.
Worked example
22:00 to 06:00 (overnight)
Inputs: Start time: 22:00, End time: 06:00
Result: 8.00 hours
Practical guidance
- For a shift with an unpaid break, use the shift-length calculator instead, which subtracts break time.
Common mistakes
- Assuming an end time earlier than the start time is an error — this calculator treats it as spanning into the next day instead.
FAQs
How many hours are there from 22:00 to 06:00?
8 elapsed hours, because an end time earlier than the start is treated as the next day. Breaks are not deducted; use the shift-length calculator to subtract an unpaid break and estimate paid hours.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-11
Assumes a span of less than 24 hours — always treats an earlier end time as the next day, not several days later.
This tool provides an indicative estimate, based on the assumptions stated above.
Theme and tool preferences, along with saved and recently used lists, are stored only in this browser.