Hours Tracker Time Clock

How to Convert Time to Decimal for Payroll

Payroll doesn't use hours and minutes. It uses decimal hours. That's why 7 hours 30 minutes shows up as 7.50 on a pay stub, not 7.30. If you're checking your paycheck or filling out a timesheet, converting time to decimal correctly is the step that prevents the most mistakes.

The formula

Decimal hours = hours + (minutes / 60)

Example: 8 hours 45 minutes = 8 + (45 / 60) = 8 + 0.75 = 8.75 hours.

The most common mistake

Writing minutes as if they were decimals. 7 hours 30 minutes is not 7.30 hours. It's 7.50. Using 7.30 cuts 12 minutes of pay from that shift. Over a year, small slips like this add up. See what timesheet mistakes are costing you.

Minutes to decimal conversion chart

These are the conversions you'll use most:

  • 5 minutes = 0.08
  • 10 minutes = 0.17
  • 15 minutes = 0.25
  • 20 minutes = 0.33
  • 25 minutes = 0.42
  • 30 minutes = 0.50
  • 35 minutes = 0.58
  • 40 minutes = 0.67
  • 45 minutes = 0.75
  • 50 minutes = 0.83
  • 55 minutes = 0.92
  • 60 minutes = 1.00

For any other number of minutes, divide by 60 and round to two decimal places.

Converting decimal back to minutes

Multiply the decimal part by 60. Example: 6.4 hours = 6 hours + (0.4 x 60) = 6 hours 24 minutes.

Using decimal hours to figure pay

Once your hours are in decimal, multiply by your rate. Example: 37.75 hours x $19 = $717.25. For hours past your overtime threshold, use your overtime rate. See how to calculate overtime pay.

A full example

You worked 8:12 AM to 4:57 PM with a 30-minute unpaid lunch.

  1. Total time: 8 hours 45 minutes
  2. Minus lunch: 8 hours 15 minutes
  3. Convert: 8 + (15 / 60) = 8.25 hours
  4. Pay at $20 an hour: 8.25 x $20 = $165

For the subtraction step, see how to calculate hours worked.

Skip the conversion entirely

Hours Tracker Time Clock does the conversion and the pay math for you:

  • Hours tracked to the minute and converted automatically
  • Breaks subtracted before totals and pay are figured
  • Live earnings, with overtime at the right multiplier
  • One-tap PDF or CSV export when you need your hours in a timesheet or spreadsheet

Get it right every time

Download Hours Tracker Time Clock on the App Store or Google Play. Then use your totals to make sure your paycheck is right.