How to use the time range calculator
- Paste your time ranges, one per line, such as "Mon 9:00-17:30" or "8.30 to 4.45pm". A label before the times is kept as the line name.
- Enter the unpaid break to take off and the length a range must reach before the break applies. Both are examples, so set your own rule.
- Choose whether to round each range to 5, 6 or 15 minutes.
- Read the total in hours and minutes and in decimal hours, with a row for each range.
Formula
length = end - start, adding 24 hours when the end is earlier than the start
counted time = length - break, when length >= the break threshold
rounded time = counted time rounded to the nearest step
decimal hours = minutes / 60
Times can be written in 24-hour form (17:30), 12-hour form (5:30pm), with a dot (8.30) or as four digits (0930). Plain times such as 9-5 are read as morning to afternoon unless you turn that off.
A week of five lines
With a 30 minute break taken from ranges of 6 hours or more: Mon 9:00-17:30 is 8:30 and counts 8:00. Tue 8.30 to 4.45pm is 8:15 and counts 7:45. Wed 9am - 1pm is 4:00 with no break. Thu 22:00-06:00 crosses midnight, is 8:00 and counts 7:30. Fri 9-5 is 8:00 and counts 7:30.
The total is 8:00 + 7:45 + 4:00 + 7:30 + 7:30 = 34:45, or 34.75 hours, and 36:45 before breaks. Rounding each range to the nearest 15 minutes leaves these as they are, while two ranges of 7 and 8 minutes round to 0 and 15.
How lines are read
Each line is searched for two times joined by a dash, the word to, until or till. A label before the first number, such as Mon, is kept as the row label, but it should not contain digits. When a range with plain times and no am or pm ends earlier than it starts, it is read as running into the afternoon if the end is 12 or less, so 9-5 is 8 hours. Turn that option off to read it as an overnight range.
If a line cannot be read, the page names the line and the reason. For a full table with dates and pay, use the Timesheet Calculator, and for the time between two moments the Time Duration Calculator.
Breaks and rounding
Break and rounding rules differ between employers and places, so enter the rule your own policy uses. The page adds up the time you type and does not apply labor law.
More scheduling tools
For other schedules and time totals, try the Backward Schedule Generator, Guest Attendance Forecast Calculator and Shift Coverage Calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- Each line has a start and an end time, and ranges are within one day or cross one midnight.
- The unpaid break is the same for every range that meets the length rule.
- Rounding is to the nearest step, with halves rounded up.
- Up to 500 lines can be entered.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add up a list of start and end times?
Work out the length of each range, subtract any break, and add the results. This tool reads the ranges from plain text, so you can paste them directly.
How are overnight shifts handled?
If the end is earlier than the start, one day is added to the end. A range of 22:00-06:00 is 8 hours.
What does 9-5 mean without am or pm?
The tool reads it as 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, which is 8 hours. If you turn off the afternoon reading, 9-5 is treated as 9 in the morning to 5 the next morning.
Which time formats are accepted?
You can write 17:30, 5:30pm, 8.30, 0930 or 9am. Ranges can be joined with a dash or the words to, until or till.