How to Find the Difference Between Two Times Using Excel
Learn how to find the difference between two times using Excel.
Time can be converted into seconds using Excel.
The number 86400 can be used to convert time to seconds.
Read more about 86400 in the How to Convert Time to Seconds Chapter
How to find the difference between two times?
Step 1) Create a sheet and set up values:
In this example, we will find the seconds between 14:00(A2)Time A and 16:00(A3) Time B.
Copy the values to follow the example.
Paste the values directly into your sheet.
Info:
Excel can change the format when you use the 86400 number.
Make sure to change the format back to number if it changes to time format.
Step 2) Convert time to seconds:
Let us multiply the time by 86400.
Select cell C2
Convert time to seconds for Time A:
Calculation
B2(14:00) * G1(86400) = 50400
Repeat the same for Time B: (B3(16:00) * G1(86400))
Step 3) Find the difference in seconds:
Select cell F9
Deduct Time B from Time A to find the difference.
Use the converted seconds to calculate (the numbers in Column C).
Calculation
C3(57600) - C2(50400) = 7200 Seconds
Step 4) Convert Seconds to Minutes:
Divide the seconds on 60 to find the minutes.
Select cell F10
Calculation
F9(7200) / G2(60) = 120 Minutes
Step 5) Convert Minutes to Hours:
Divide the minutes on 60 to find the hours.
Select cell F11
Calculation
F9(120) / G3(60) = 2 Hours
Good job!
You have successfully found the time between two times, 14:00 and 16:00.
In this case, the right answer was 7200 Seconds or 120 Minutes or 2 hours.
