How to Calculate the Time Difference in Minutes in Excel

This is an overview.

Method 1 – Using an Excel Formula to Calculate Time Difference in Minutes

Step 1: Find the Time Difference in Dates

Enter the following formula.

= (C5-B5)

It will calculate the difference between the two dates in days and show the result with decimal places.

Step 2: Use a Formula to Calculate the Time Difference

Enter the following formula to convert the previous output into minutes.

=(C5-B5)*24*60

Press Enter to see the results in minutes.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Method 2 – Combining the DAYS, HOUR, and SECOND Functions to Calculate the Time Difference

Step 1: Find the Difference in Days

Enter the following formula with the DAYS function.

=DAYS(C5,B5)

### is displayed, as no specific format is defined.

Click Number.

The number of days will be displayed.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Step 2: Count the Time Difference in Minutes

Enter the following formula with the MINUTE function to calculate the minute difference on a particular day (10:30 A.M. to 10:53 A.M.).

=MINUTE(C5-B5)

The minute difference: 23 minutes is displayed in E5.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Step 3: Apply the SECOND Function

Enter the following formula with the SECOND function.

=SECOND(C5-B5)

You will see the time difference in seconds.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Step 4: Use the HOUR Function

Enter the following formula with the HOUR function.

=HOUR(C5-B5)

The time difference in hours is displayed in E5.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Step 5: Apply the Final Formula

Enter the following formula.

=D5*24*60 +E5*60 + F5 + G5/60

You will see the time difference in minutes.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Method 3 – Running a VBA Macro to Calculate the Time Difference in Minutes

Step 1: Create a Module

Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA Macro.
Click the Insert tab.
Select Module.

Step 2: Enter the VBA code

Enter the following VBA code.

Sub TimeDifference()
'Define variables
    Dim MinDifference As Variant
    Dim StartTime As Variant
    Dim EndTime As Variant
'Insert Input box to select start time
Set StartTime = Application.InputBox("Select Start Time:", "ExcelDemy", RngText, , , , , 8)
'Insert Input box to select start time
Set EndTime = Application.InputBox("Select End Time:", "ExcelDemy", RngText, , , , , 8)
'Subtract times
MinDifference = EndTime - StartTime
'Apply formula in a cell to get the result in minutes
Range("E5").Value = MinDifference * 24 * 60
End Sub