How decimal time conversion works
Divide minutes by 60 and add the result to the whole hours. Eight hours and 30 minutes becomes 8 + 30 ÷ 60 = 8.50 hours. Decimal time is not clock notation: 8.30 hours means 8 hours and 18 minutes, not 8:30.
When to use each format
Hours:minutes is easier to read as elapsed time. Decimal hours is convenient for multiplying time by an hourly rate. Keep full minutes for the calculation and round only the displayed result so repeated rounding does not distort totals.
Need a weekly total? Use the Time Card Calculator. For common minute values, open the printable Time Conversion Chart.