Hours to Decimal Converter
Turn hours and minutes into payroll-ready decimal hours — and back again. Example: 8:45 becomes 8.75, not 8.45.
How to convert hours to decimal by hand
Keep the hours as they are and divide only the minutes by 60. The result replaces the minutes after the decimal point:
- 8 hours 45 minutes → 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75 → 8.75 hours
- 7 hours 15 minutes → 15 ÷ 60 = 0.25 → 7.25 hours
- 6 hours 40 minutes → 40 ÷ 60 = 0.6667 → 6.67 hours (rounded)
To go the other way — decimal to hours and minutes — multiply the decimal part by 60. 8.75 hours → 0.75 × 60 = 45 → 8:45.
Common minute-to-decimal values
| Minutes | Decimal hours | Minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:05 | 0.08 | 0:35 | 0.58 |
| 0:10 | 0.17 | 0:40 | 0.67 |
| 0:15 | 0.25 | 0:45 | 0.75 |
| 0:20 | 0.33 | 0:50 | 0.83 |
| 0:25 | 0.42 | 0:55 | 0.92 |
| 0:30 | 0.50 | 1:00 | 1.00 |
The full minute-by-minute table lives on our decimal hours chart page — handy to print and keep at a desk.
Where you will actually use this
- Entering timesheets into payroll portals that demand decimals.
- Client invoicing — “Worked 8:45” becomes “8.75 hours × rate”.
- Checking your paycheck — verify the employer converted your time correctly.
Questions people ask
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60 and keep the hours as the whole number. Example: 7 hours 30 minutes → 30 ÷ 60 = 0.5 → 7.5 decimal hours. Our converter does this instantly in both directions.
What is 30 minutes in decimal form?
30 minutes is 0.50 decimal hours, because 30/60 = 0.5. Likewise 15 minutes is 0.25 and 45 minutes is 0.75.
Why does payroll use decimal hours instead of hours and minutes?
Payroll software multiplies hours by an hourly rate, and arithmetic with fractions like 7:30 is error-prone. Decimal hours (7.5) make the math exact: 7.5 × $16 = $120.00.
What is 20 minutes in decimal?
20 minutes is 0.33 decimal hours (20/60 = 0.333…). Most payroll systems round to two decimals, so 0.33.