To find how many minutes are between two times, convert each clock time into minutes after midnight and subtract the starting value from the ending value. For example, 9:15 AM is 555 minutes after midnight and 11:45 AM is 705 minutes, so the difference is 150 minutes.
Calculate elapsed hours and minutes, overnight duration, break deductions, decimal hours, and total minutes.
Once both times are expressed as minutes after midnight, the elapsed duration can be found with one subtraction.
Formula for Minutes Between Two Times
Convert the start and end times into minutes after midnight.
Subtract the starting value from the ending value.
The Time Duration Calculator displays the total minutes together with hours and decimal hours.
How to Convert a Time into Minutes
Multiply the hour by 60 and add the minute portion.
For example, 9:15 AM becomes 9 multiplied by 60 plus 15.
The result is 555 minutes after midnight.
Example: 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM
Convert 9:15 AM to 555 minutes.
Convert 11:45 AM to 705 minutes.
Subtract 555 from 705 to obtain 150 minutes.
Minutes Between Times Within the Same Hour
When both times fall within the same hour, subtract the minute values directly.
From 2:10 PM to 2:50 PM, subtract 10 from 50.
The elapsed duration is 40 minutes.
Minutes Between Times in Different Hours
Convert the complete times rather than subtracting only the minute portions.
For example, 1:40 PM to 3:10 PM lasts 90 minutes.
Subtracting 40 from 10 alone would not account for the change in hours.
Example: 1:40 PM to 3:10 PM
One forty in the afternoon is 13:40, equal to 820 minutes after midnight.
Three ten in the afternoon is 15:10, equal to 910 minutes.
The difference is 90 minutes.
Minutes Between Times Across Midnight
When the ending time is on the following day, add 1,440 minutes to it.
This represents one complete 24-hour day.
Subtract the start after applying the overnight adjustment.
Add 1,440 minutes to the ending value when it occurs on the next day.
Example: 11:30 PM to 12:20 AM
Eleven thirty at night equals 1,410 minutes.
Twelve twenty the next morning becomes 20 plus 1,440, or 1,460 minutes.
The difference is 50 minutes.
Subtracting Break Minutes
Find the complete elapsed minutes first.
Subtract any lunch, rest, or excluded break afterwards.
A duration of 480 minutes with a 30-minute break leaves 450 counted minutes.
Convert Total Minutes to Hours and Minutes
Divide the total by 60 to find complete hours.
Use the remainder as the additional minutes.
For example, 150 minutes equal two hours with 30 minutes remaining.
Convert Total Minutes to Decimal Hours
Divide the total minutes by 60.
One hundred and fifty divided by 60 equals 2.5.
Therefore, 150 minutes equal 2.5 decimal hours.
Useful Minute Conversions
The following values are useful when checking a duration.
| Duration | Total minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 15 | 0.25 |
| 30 minutes | 30 | 0.50 |
| 45 minutes | 45 | 0.75 |
| 1 hour | 60 | 1.00 |
| 1 hour 30 minutes | 90 | 1.50 |
| 2 hours | 120 | 2.00 |
| 2 hours 30 minutes | 150 | 2.50 |
| 8 hours | 480 | 8.00 |
Common Mistakes
Do not subtract only the displayed minute portions when the hour changes.
Do not forget to convert PM times correctly.
Do not treat an overnight ending time as belonging to the same morning.
Subtract breaks from the elapsed total, not from one clock time.
Conclusion
Convert both clock times into minutes and subtract the starting value.
Add 1,440 minutes when the ending time falls on the following day.
Use the Time Duration Calculator to calculate total minutes and convert them into other duration formats.
FAQs
How do I find the minutes between two times?
Convert both times into minutes after midnight and subtract the starting value.
How many minutes are between 9:15 AM and 11:45 AM?
There are 150 minutes.
How do I calculate minutes across midnight?
Add 1,440 minutes to the next-day ending time before subtracting.
How many hours are 150 minutes?
One hundred and fifty minutes equal 2 hours 30 minutes or 2.5 decimal hours.
Should a break be included?
Subtract the break when it should not count towards the measured duration.