Elapsed Time Calculator
Enter when something started and when it ended. We tell you how much time went by.
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The formula
Elapsed time = end time - start time (add 24 hours if the end is earlier than the start).
What elapsed time means
It is simply the amount of time between two moments. A film that starts at 7:40 pm and ends at 9:55 pm ran for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Crossing midnight
If the end time on the clock is earlier than the start, we assume the activity ran into the next day. 11:30 pm to 1:10 am is 1 hour 40 minutes.
Longer than a day?
This tool is for a single span within 24 hours. For longer periods, use the date to date calculator, or add several spans together with the time calculator.
Examples to check
Type these into the calculator above to see how it behaves. Every result below was produced by the same calculator code that runs on this page.
| What you enter | What you get |
|---|---|
| Start time: 09:00; End time: 17:30 | Elapsed time: 8:00 (h:mm) |
| Start time: 08:15; End time: 16:45 | Elapsed time: 7:45 (h:mm) |
| Start time: 22:00; End time: 06:00 | Elapsed time: 8:00 (h:mm) |
| Start time: 13:10; End time: 14:55 | Elapsed time: 1:45 (h:mm) |
Elapsed Time Calculator: frequently asked questions
How do I work out elapsed time by hand?
Count up to the next full hour, then add the whole hours, then the minutes after the last hour. From 7:40 to 8:00 is 20 minutes, from 8:00 to 9:00 is 1 hour, and from 9:00 to 9:55 is 55 minutes. Together that is 2 hours 15 minutes.
Can I get the answer in minutes?
Yes. The total minutes are shown under the main result.
Does it take leap years into account?
Yes. Calculations use real calendar dates, including leap days and the different lengths of months.
Is what I enter in this calculator saved or sent anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser, so what you enter is not sent to our servers. We only count, anonymously, whether a tool ran successfully.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and has no usage limit.
Last reviewed: October 3, 2026