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Time converter

This time converter tool helps you convert between 46 different units:

Common time units explained

Learn more about these commonly used time units:

All possible time conversions

Below, we provide an overview of all the time conversions available on this website to help you navigate and utilize our resources efficiently.

Unit Conversion
Seconds (s) Base unit
Minutes (min) Minutes to Seconds | Seconds to Minutes
Hours (h) Hours to Seconds | Seconds to Hours
Days (mean solar) (d) Days (mean solar) to Seconds | Seconds to Days (mean solar)
Weeks (wk) Weeks to Seconds | Seconds to Weeks
Months (mean) (mo) Months (mean) to Seconds | Seconds to Months (mean)
Years (mean) (yr) Years (mean) to Seconds | Seconds to Years (mean)
Decades (decades) Decades to Seconds | Seconds to Decades
Centuries (centuries) Centuries to Seconds | Seconds to Centuries
Millennia (millennia) Millennia to Seconds | Seconds to Millennia
Fortnights (fortnights) Fortnights to Seconds | Seconds to Fortnights
Shakes (shake) Shakes to Seconds | Seconds to Shakes
Months (sidereal) (mo (sidereal)) Months (sidereal) to Seconds | Seconds to Months (sidereal)
Months (synodic) (mo (synodic)) Months (synodic) to Seconds | Seconds to Months (synodic)
Months (tropical) (mo (tropical)) Months (tropical) to Seconds | Seconds to Months (tropical)
Months (anomalistic) (mo (anomalistic)) Months (anomalistic) to Seconds | Seconds to Months (anomalistic)
Months (draconic) (mo (draconic)) Months (draconic) to Seconds | Seconds to Months (draconic)
Years (julian) (yr (julian)) Years (julian) to Seconds | Seconds to Years (julian)
Years (leap) (yr (leap)) Years (leap) to Seconds | Seconds to Years (leap)
Years (tropical) (yr) Years (tropical) to Seconds | Seconds to Years (tropical)
Years (sidereal) (yr (sidereal)) Years (sidereal) to Seconds | Seconds to Years (sidereal)
Planck time (tP) Planck time to Seconds | Seconds to Planck time
Quettaseconds (Qs) Quettaseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Quettaseconds
Ronnaseconds (Rs) Ronnaseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Ronnaseconds
Yottaoseconds (Ys) Yottaoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Yottaoseconds
Zettaoseconds (Zs) Zettaoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Zettaoseconds
Exaseconds (Es) Exaseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Exaseconds
Petaoseconds (Ps) Petaoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Petaoseconds
Teraseconds (Ts) Teraseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Teraseconds
Gigaseconds (Gs) Gigaseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Gigaseconds
Megasenconds (Ms) Megasenconds to Seconds | Seconds to Megasenconds
Kiloseconds (ks) Kiloseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Kiloseconds
Hectoseconds (hs) Hectoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Hectoseconds
Dekaseconds (das) Dekaseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Dekaseconds
Deciseconds (ds) Deciseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Deciseconds
Centiseconds (cs) Centiseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Centiseconds
Milliseconds (ms) Milliseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Milliseconds
Microseconds (µs) Microseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Microseconds
Nanoseconds (ns) Nanoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Nanoseconds
Picoseconds (ps) Picoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Picoseconds
Femtoseconds (fs) Femtoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Femtoseconds
Attoseconds (as) Attoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Attoseconds
Zeptoseconds (zs) Zeptoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Zeptoseconds
Yoctoseconds (ys) Yoctoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Yoctoseconds
Rontoseconds (rs) Rontoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Rontoseconds
Quectoseconds (qs) Quectoseconds to Seconds | Seconds to Quectoseconds

What is Time?

Time is a fundamental measurement that quantifies the ongoing sequence of events from the past through the present to the future. It is a key component in physics, daily life, and various scientific disciplines. Time allows us to organize activities, measure durations, and synchronize events.

Common Units of Time

Time is measured using various units that belong to different systems of measurement. The most commonly used units include:

  • Seconds (s) – The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI).
  • Minutes (min) – Equal to 60 seconds.
  • Hours (h) – Equal to 60 minutes or 3,600 seconds.
  • Days – Comprising 24 hours.
  • Weeks – A standard period of 7 days.
  • Months – Typically ranging from 28 to 31 days.
  • Years – Comprising 12 months or approximately 365.25 days.

FAQs About Time

Why is a day 24 hours long?

The division of a day into 24 hours dates back to ancient Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations, which used a base-12 and base-60 numbering system. Egyptians divided daytime and nighttime into 12-hour periods, possibly influenced by their use of the duodecimal (base-12) system for counting, which was derived from counting finger joints with the thumb.

Why is an hour 60 minutes and a minute 60 seconds long?

The Babylonians, who favored the sexagesimal (base-60) system, further influenced timekeeping by dividing hours and minutes into 60 equal parts. This system persisted through Greek and Roman civilizations and was later formalized in modern timekeeping.

What is a leap year, and why does it exist?

A leap year occurs every four years to compensate for the Earth's orbit around the Sun, which takes approximately 365.25 days. Adding an extra day in February ensures our calendar remains aligned with Earth's rotation.

How is time measured in physics?

In physics, time is measured using atomic clocks that rely on the vibrations of cesium atoms. These highly accurate clocks form the basis of international time standards, such as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

What is the shortest unit of time?

The shortest scientifically recognized unit of time is the zeptosecond (zs), which is equal to 10-21 seconds. Scientists have used zeptoseconds to measure the time it takes for light to pass through a hydrogen molecule.

Even smaller units include the yoctosecond (ys), equal to 10-24 seconds, the rontosecond (rs), equal to 10-27 seconds, and the quectosecond (qs), equal to 10-30 seconds. These units are primarily used in theoretical physics and quantum mechanics.

Theoretical limits of time measurement include the Planck time (approximately 10-43 seconds), which is the smallest meaningful unit of time in quantum mechanics and is considered the boundary where classical physics breaks down.