How to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates (7 Ways)

 

Method 1 – Using DAYS Function to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Insert the following formula in cell E5:
=DAYS(D5,C5)

Formula Explanation

  • D5 is the finishing date.
  • C5 is the beginning date.
  • Hit Enter to confirm.

Using DAYS Function to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell E5 to E10.

  • You will get the time difference in days between the two dates.

Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

Read More: How to Calculate Time Difference Between Two Dates in Minutes in Excel


Method 2 – Combining INT and TEXT Functions to Calculate Time Difference Between Two Dates

  • Insert the following formula in cell E5:
=INT(D5-C5)&" days "&TEXT(D5-C5,"h"" hrs ""m"" mins """)

Formula Explanation

  • D5 is the finishing date.
  • C5 is the beginning date.
  • INT(D5-C5)&” days “ returns the time difference in days.
  • TEXT(D5-C5,”h”” hrs “”m”” mins “””) returns the time difference in hours, minutes, and seconds.
  • Press Enter to apply the formula.

Combining INT and TEXT Functions to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell E5 to E10.

  • This gets you the time difference between two dates in days, hours, and minutes.

Read More: Difference Between Two Dates in Months in Excel


Method 3 – Using NETWORKDAYS Function to Measure Time Difference Between Two Dates

  • Copy this formula in cell E5:
=NETWORKDAYS(C5,D5)

Formula Explanation

  • D5 is the finishing date.
  • C5 is the beginning date.
  • Press Enter to apply it.

Using NETWORKDAYS Function to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Use the Fill Handle icon to fill the formula from cell E5 to E10.

Using Fill Handle to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Excel will calculate the time difference in days excluding the holidays.

Read More: How to Minus Number of Days or a Date from Today in Excel


Method 4 – Applying Excel DATEDIF Function to Compute Time Difference Between Two Dates

  • Paste the following formula in cell E5:
=DATEDIF(C5,D5,"d")

Formula Explanation

  • D5 is the finishing date.
  • C5 is the beginning date.
  • “d” specifies that the calculated time format is in days.
  • Press the Enter key to confirm and apply the formula.

Applying DATEDIF Function to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell E5 to E10 to fill in the other cells.

  • Here is the calculated result:


Method 5 – Using Excel TEXT Function to Calculate Time Difference Between Two Dates

  • Use following formula for cell E5:
=TEXT(D5-C5,"yy"" years ""dd"" days """)

Formula Explanation

  • D5 is the finishing date.
  • C5 is the beginning date.
  • “yy”” years “”dd”” days “”” specifies the time format in years and days.
  • Press the Enter key.

Using TEXT Function to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell E5 to E10.

  • So you will get the time difference between two dates in years and days.


Method 6 – Subtracting Two Dates to Calculate Time Difference Between Two Dates

  • Insert the formula below into cell E5:
=D5-C5

Formula Explanation

  • D5 is the finishing date.
  • C5 is the beginning date.
  • Press the Enter button.

Subtracting Two Dates to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell E5 to E10.

  • You will get the time difference in the Duration column.

Read More: How to Subtract Dates in Excel to Get Years


Method 7 – Joining Excel TIME, HOUR, MINUTE, & SECOND Functions to Calculate Time Difference

The following formula can calculate the time difference only in hours, minutes, and seconds. It completely ignores the date part but focuses on the time part. Follow these steps:

  • Use the following formula in cell E5:
=TIME(HOUR(D5),MINUTE(D5),SECOND(D5))-TIME(HOUR(C5), MINUTE(C5),SECOND(C5))

Formula Explanation

  • D5 is the finishing date.
  • C5 is the beginning date.
  • HOUR(D5),MINUTE(D5),SECOND(D5) extract the hour, minute, and second part from D5.
  • HOUR(C5),MINUTE(C5),SECOND(C5) extract the hour, minute, and second part from C5.
  • Hit Enter to apply it.

Joining TIME, HOUR, MINUTE, & SECOND Functions to Calculate Time Difference in Excel Between Two Dates

  • Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell E5 to E10.

  • You will get the time difference in hours, minutes, and seconds like this:


Download Practice Workbook

You can download the Excel file from the following link and practice along with it.


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Mrinmoy Roy
Mrinmoy Roy

Mrinmoy Roy, a dedicated professional with a BSc in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh, brings over two years of expertise to the ExcelDemy project. As a prolific contributor, he has authored around 180 articles, showcasing his deep knowledge and passion for Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, and VBA. His unwavering commitment to continuous learning, combined with versatile skills, renders him well-suited for roles in data management and spreadsheet solutions. He has interest... Read Full Bio

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