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.

Time Seconds Conversion number 86400 Time A 14:00 Minutes 60 Time B 16:00 Hours 60 Time between Seconds Minutes Hours

Copy Values

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.