How to convert minutes to decimal hours
Decimal hours = hours + (minutes ÷ 60)
Divide the minutes by 60 and add the result to the whole hours. 7 hours 45 minutes = 7 + 45/60 = 7 + 0.75 = 7.75 hours. If you have seconds too, divide them by 3600 and add them as well.
This matters because pay is calculated by multiplying hours by a rate. 7 hours 45 minutes at $20/hour is 7.75 × $20 = $155 – but if someone enters 7.45 by mistake, the pay comes out at $149, which is $6 short.
Minutes to decimal chart
| Minutes | Decimal hrs | Minutes | Decimal hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 min | 0.02 | 31 min | 0.52 |
| 2 min | 0.03 | 32 min | 0.53 |
| 3 min | 0.05 | 33 min | 0.55 |
| 4 min | 0.07 | 34 min | 0.57 |
| 5 min | 0.08 | 35 min | 0.58 |
| 6 min | 0.10 | 36 min | 0.60 |
| 7 min | 0.12 | 37 min | 0.62 |
| 8 min | 0.13 | 38 min | 0.63 |
| 9 min | 0.15 | 39 min | 0.65 |
| 10 min | 0.17 | 40 min | 0.67 |
| 11 min | 0.18 | 41 min | 0.68 |
| 12 min | 0.20 | 42 min | 0.70 |
| 13 min | 0.22 | 43 min | 0.72 |
| 14 min | 0.23 | 44 min | 0.73 |
| 15 min | 0.25 | 45 min | 0.75 |
| 16 min | 0.27 | 46 min | 0.77 |
| 17 min | 0.28 | 47 min | 0.78 |
| 18 min | 0.30 | 48 min | 0.80 |
| 19 min | 0.32 | 49 min | 0.82 |
| 20 min | 0.33 | 50 min | 0.83 |
| 21 min | 0.35 | 51 min | 0.85 |
| 22 min | 0.37 | 52 min | 0.87 |
| 23 min | 0.38 | 53 min | 0.88 |
| 24 min | 0.40 | 54 min | 0.90 |
| 25 min | 0.42 | 55 min | 0.92 |
| 26 min | 0.43 | 56 min | 0.93 |
| 27 min | 0.45 | 57 min | 0.95 |
| 28 min | 0.47 | 58 min | 0.97 |
| 29 min | 0.48 | 59 min | 0.98 |
| 30 min | 0.50 | 60 min | 1.00 |
Quick reference
- 15 minutes = 0.25 hours
- 20 minutes = 0.33 hours
- 30 minutes = 0.50 hours
- 40 minutes = 0.67 hours
- 45 minutes = 0.75 hours
- 50 minutes = 0.83 hours
Going the other way? Use the decimal hours to time converter. To total a full week of shifts, use the time card calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is 40 minutes as a decimal?
40 minutes is 0.67 hours (40 ÷ 60 = 0.6667).
What is 20 minutes in decimal?
20 minutes is 0.33 hours (20 ÷ 60 = 0.3333).
How do I convert 8 hours 30 minutes to decimal?
8 + 30/60 = 8.5 hours.
Why does my payroll use decimal time?
Decimal hours can be multiplied directly by an hourly rate. Hours and minutes cannot, because an hour has 60 minutes, not 100.
How many decimal places should I use?
Two decimal places are standard for payroll (7.75). Some employers round to the nearest quarter hour (0.25); check your company policy.