Elapsed Time Calculator
Calculate the duration between a start and end time in hours and minutes — including shifts that run past midnight.
How it works
Elapsed time formula
Duration = End − Start If End ≤ Start, add 24 hours (crosses midnight) Then subtract any break
Elapsed time is the end time minus the start time. When the end is earlier than the start, the period runs past midnight into the next day, so a full 24 hours is added. Any unpaid break is then subtracted — useful for timesheets and shift totals.
Worked example
From 09:00 to 17:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes. Subtracting a 30-minute break leaves 8 hours 0 minutes, or 8.00 hours. An overnight shift from 22:00 to 06:00 is 8 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How does it handle overnight shifts?
If the end time is earlier than or equal to the start time, the calculator assumes the end is on the next day and adds 24 hours. So 22:00 to 06:00 correctly returns 8 hours.
Can I subtract a lunch break?
Yes. Enter the break length in minutes and it is removed from the total — handy for calculating paid working hours on a timesheet.
Does it use a 24-hour clock?
The input uses your browser's time picker, which follows your system's 12- or 24-hour preference. Internally the calculation is on a 24-hour basis.