How to Calculate Hours on Excel: Step-by-Step GuideUpdated a month ago
Calculating hours in Excel is essential for tracking time, work hours, or durations efficiently. If you have a start time in one cell (e.g., A2) and an end time in another (B2), you can subtract the two using =B2-A2 to get the total hours worked.
Key Highlights: Calculate Hours in Excel
- Simple Time Subtraction:
Subtract start time from end time to calculate the duration. Format the result using `[h]:mm` to display hours and minutes.
- Calculating Total Hours (Including Minutes):
Subtract start and end times to get the difference, which includes both hours and minutes. Use Custom or h:mm format for clear display.
- Working Across Multiple Days:
Excel can calculate hours across dates, like `1/1/2025 8:00 AM` to `1/3/2025 5:00 PM`. Use the formula `=B2 - A2` and format with `[h]:mm` for the total hours.
- Subtracting Break Times:
Subtract break duration from total work hours using `=(B2 - A2) - C2` to get the net hours worked after breaks.
- Calculating Overtime:
Use the formula `=IF(C2 > TIME(8,0,0), C2 - TIME(8,0,0), 0)` to calculate overtime beyond a standard 8-hour day.
- Decimal Hour Format:
Convert time to decimal hours with `=(B2 - A2) 24` for easier reporting or calculations. Make sure to format the result as a number for decimal output.
These methods help you calculate hours efficiently, whether for daily tracking, overtime, breaks, or working across multiple days.