How to Convert Minutes to Decimal Hours
Payroll systems want hours as decimals, but time cards show hours and minutes. The conversion is simple: decimal hours = hours + minutes ÷ 60.
Examples
| Hours:minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|
| 7:20 | 7.33 |
| 7:45 | 7.75 |
| 8:10 | 8.17 |
| 37:45 | 37.75 |
| 41:50 | 41.83 |
So 37 hours 45 minutes at $18.00 an hour is 37.75 × $18.00 = $679.50.
A common mistake
7:30 is not 7.30 hours. It is 7.50. Writing 7.30 would underpay 12 minutes.
Going back from decimal
Multiply the decimal part by 60: 7.75 → 0.75 × 60 = 45 minutes → 7:45.
Use the decimal hours converter or its full minute table.
Last reviewed November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.