How to Add Time in Google Sheets

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Quick answer

Sum numeric duration cells with SUM and choose Format → Number → Duration for the result. A total above 24 hours retains its full elapsed hours.

Open Add Time Calculator

Step by step

  1. Enter 12:45:00 in A2 and 15:30:00 in A3. Select the inputs and choose Format → Number → Duration.
  2. In A4 enter =SUM(A2:A3) and apply Duration to A4 as well. The expected result is 28:15:00.
  3. If the total skips a row, test the suspect cell with =ISNUMBER(A2). Check for leading apostrophes, pasted text, or a locale mismatch, then re-enter the value.

Worked examples

Keep the full total

12 hours 45 minutes plus 15 hours 30 minutes makes 28 hours 15 minutes. A Time format displays a clock reading. Duration displays the elapsed total.

Convert to decimal hours

In a separate cell enter =A4*24 and apply Number format. For 28:15:00 the result is 28.25.

What to check

Check File → Settings for the spreadsheet locale if entered values are treated as text or separators differ. In Excel use the platform-specific elapsed format.

Related guides

Sources

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