Summary

To convert a valid Excel time into decimal minutes, you can multiply by 1440. In the example shown, the formula in C6 is:

=B6*1440

which returns a value of 30.

Generic formula

=A1*1440

Explanation 

In the Excel time system, one 24-hour day is equal to 1. This means times and hours are fractional values of 1, as shown in the table below:

Hours Time Fraction Value
1 1:00 AM 1/24 0.04167
3 3:00 AM 3/24 0.125
6 6:00 AM 6/24 0.25
4 4:00 AM 4/24 0.167
8 8:00 AM 8/24 0.333
12 12:00 PM 12/24 0.5
18 6:00 PM 18/24 0.75
21 9:00 PM 21/24 0.875

Because each hour can be represented as 1/24, you can convert an Excel time into decimal hours by multiplying the value by 24, and convert to decimal minutes by multiplying the value by 1440 (24 * 60) . With the time value 6:00 cell A1, you can visualize the conversion like this:

=A1*(24*60)
=(6/24)*1440
=0.25*1440
=360

The Excel time 6:00 converts to 360 minutes.

Format result as number

When you multiply a time value by 1440, Excel may automatically format the result using a time format like h:mm, which will display the value incorrectly. To display the result as a regular number, apply the General or Number format.

Dave Bruns Profile Picture

AuthorMicrosoft Most Valuable Professional Award

Dave Bruns

Hi - I'm Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.