Convert an Excel Time Value into a Decimal Number (Hours)

In Excel, when you enter a time value it shows you hours, minutes, and seconds, but in actuality, a time is a decimal value that is formatted as a time.

In this tutorial, we will learn to use a quick and short formula to convert time into a number where hours should be in integers and minutes in decimals.

Formula to Convert Time into Decimal Number

1. Enter equal operator (=) in a cell.
2. Refer to the cell where you have time.
3. Type the asterisk (*) for multiplication.
4. Enter 24 and hit enter to get the result.

And once you use this formula, make sure to apply “General” formatting to the cell to show it as a number.

How does this Formula Work?

Excel stores time as a decimal value. 1:00 AM which is one hour in a day equals 0.042, and 11:00 PM equals 0.958.

An hour in a day of 24 hours and has a value of 1/24. To convert a time into an hour number, you can multiply it by 24.