Convert decimal hours to Excel time

Generic formula 

=hours/24

Related formulas 

Convert decimal minutes to Excel time

Convert decimal seconds to Excel time

Calculate number of hours between two times

Add decimal hours to time

Basic overtime calculation formula

Explanation

To convert hours in decimal format to a value Excel recognizes as time, pide by 24. In the example shown the formula in C5 is:

=B5/24

which returns 0.5, the equivalent of 12 hours.

How this formula works

In the Excel date system, one day is equal to 1. Since there are 24 hours in a day, you need to pide by 24 in order to convert to a value that Excel will recognize as time. After the conversion, you can apply a time format of your choice, or use the result in a math operation with other dates or times.

In the example, since B5 contains 12 (representing 12 hours) the result is 12/24 = 0.5, since there are 12 hours in a half of day.

To see the result formatted as time, apply a time format.

Durations longer than 24 hours

To display hours that represent a duration longer than 24 hours, you'll need to adjust the number format. Just wrap the h in square brackets like so:

[h]:mm

To display in minutes, you can do the same thing with m:

[m]

The brackets tell Excel the time is a duration, and not a time of day.

Convert decimal hours to Excel time

Generic formula 

=hours/24

Related formulas 

Convert decimal minutes to Excel time

Convert decimal seconds to Excel time

Calculate number of hours between two times

Add decimal hours to time

Basic overtime calculation formula

Explanation

To convert hours in decimal format to a value Excel recognizes as time, pide by 24. In the example shown the formula in C5 is:

=B5/24

which returns 0.5, the equivalent of 12 hours.

How this formula works

In the Excel date system, one day is equal to 1. Since there are 24 hours in a day, you need to pide by 24 in order to convert to a value that Excel will recognize as time. After the conversion, you can apply a time format of your choice, or use the result in a math operation with other dates or times.

In the example, since B5 contains 12 (representing 12 hours) the result is 12/24 = 0.5, since there are 12 hours in a half of day.

To see the result formatted as time, apply a time format.

Durations longer than 24 hours

To display hours that represent a duration longer than 24 hours, you'll need to adjust the number format. Just wrap the h in square brackets like so:

[h]:mm

To display in minutes, you can do the same thing with m:

[m]

The brackets tell Excel the time is a duration, and not a time of day.