---
title: "Converting time units"
description: "Solve problems involving converting between units of time (hours↔minutes, minutes↔seconds, years↔months, weeks↔days)"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/converting-time-units-mt_2yas4Unc8o
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/converting-time-units-mt_2yas4Unc8o.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Converting time units

Solve problems involving converting between units of time (hours↔minutes, minutes↔seconds, years↔months, weeks↔days)

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Measurement · Ages 9 to 10
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/converting-time-units-mt_2yas4Unc8o

## Ready when they can

- Convert 3 hours 25 minutes to 205 minutes
- A programme lasts 150 seconds — express in minutes and seconds
- How many days are in 8 weeks and 3 days?

## Lesson: Switching between units of time

You already know how to change centimeters into meters and grams into kilograms. Time units work the same way. Each unit breaks into a fixed number of smaller units: 60 seconds make 1 minute, 60 minutes make 1 hour, 7 days make 1 week, and 12 months make 1 year.

*(drawing: The short hand shows hours and the long hand shows minutes. This clock has moved 3 hours and 25 minutes, which you can turn into one number of minutes.)*

**Example.** To convert 3 hours 25 minutes into minutes, first turn the hours into minutes: 3 hours × 60 = 180 minutes. Then add the leftover 25 minutes: 180 + 25 = 205 minutes in total.

**Example.** To go the other way, change seconds into minutes. 150 seconds has two full 60s inside it: 150 ÷ 60 = 2, with 30 left over. That means 150 seconds is 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

**Tip.** The same idea works for weeks and days. For 8 weeks and 3 days, multiply the weeks first: 8 × 7 = 56 days, then add the 3 extra days: 56 + 3 = 59 days. Multiply to reach smaller units, then add any leftovers.

**Recap.** Multiply to change a bigger time unit into a smaller one, divide to change a smaller unit into a bigger one, and always deal with the leftovers separately.

## Practice

16 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Converting measurement units](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/converting-measurement-units-mt_d8al9JcajP)

## Opens up

- [Egyptian Timelines and Maps](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/egyptian-timelines-and-maps-mt_C3eNLQJlgt)
- [Reading tables](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/reading-tables-mt_Cqm8iy48UI)