Decimal Hours Calculator
Convert hours and minutes into decimal hours for payroll — and back again. Type 8 hours 30 minutes and get 8.50, or type 8.5 and get 8:30.
Hours & minutes → decimal
Decimal → hours & minutes
Decimal hours = hours + (minutes ÷ 60). Used by most payroll systems.
How it works
Decimal hours = whole hours + (minutes ÷ 60). Minutes become a fraction of an hour, so payroll can multiply by your hourly rate. 8 hours 30 minutes = 8 + (30 ÷ 60) = 8.50.
Quick conversion chart
| Time | Decimal |
|---|---|
| 0:15 | 0.25 |
| 0:30 | 0.50 |
| 0:45 | 0.75 |
| 1:00 | 1.00 |
| 1:30 | 1.50 |
| 8:15 | 8.25 |
| 8:30 | 8.50 |
| 8:45 | 8.75 |
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60. For example 30 minutes ÷ 60 = 0.50, so 8 hours 30 minutes = 8.50 decimal hours. 15 minutes = 0.25, 45 minutes = 0.75.
Why does payroll use decimal hours?
Pay is hourly rate × hours, and that multiplication only works with decimal hours, not the H:MM format. 8 hours 30 minutes at $20/hr is 8.5 × $20 = $170 — you cannot multiply $20 by "8:30" directly.
What is 8 hours 15 minutes in decimal?
8.25 decimal hours (15 ÷ 60 = 0.25). Common ones: 10 min = 0.17, 20 min = 0.33, 40 min = 0.67, 50 min = 0.83.
Related tools
Time Card Calculator · Hours Calculator · Salary to Hourly Calculator
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