Second to Hour Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert seconds to hours with our free online time converter.
Second to Hour Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Second).
- The converted value in Hour will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Time category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Second to Hour
Converting Second to Hour involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Second = 0.000277778 hoursExample Calculation:
Convert 60 seconds: 60 × 0.000277778 = 0.0166667 hours
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Second and a Hour?
The second is the base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the caesium frequency ΔνCs, the unperturbed ground-state hyperfine transition frequency of the caesium-133 atom, to be 9,192,631,770 when expressed in the unit Hz, which is equal to s⁻¹.
An hour is a unit of time equal to 60 minutes, or 3,600 seconds. It is approximately 1/24th of a mean solar day.
Note: The Second is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Hour belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Second and Hour
Historically, the second was defined as 1/86,400 of a mean solar day. However, variations in the Earth's rotation led to the need for a more precise, constant definition. The atomic definition based on the caesium-133 atom was adopted in 1967.
The concept of dividing the day and night into smaller periods dates back to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians used a system of 12 hours for the daytime and 12 hours for the nighttime (or 10 hours of darkness plus one hour for each twilight period), leading to a 24-hour cycle. The length of these hours varied with the seasons. The fixed-length hour (1/24th of a mean solar day) became more common with the development of mechanical clocks in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Babylonian base-60 system influenced the division of the hour into 60 minutes.
Common Uses for seconds and hours
Explore the typical applications for both Second (imperial/US) and Hour (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for seconds
- Base Unit: The fundamental unit for all time measurements in science, engineering, and daily life.
- Timing: Used universally for clocks, watches, timers, and scheduling.
- Physics: Essential in defining derived units like velocity (meters per second), acceleration (meters per second squared), frequency (Hertz, or cycles per second), and force (Newtons).
- Computing: Used as a base for measuring intervals, timeouts, and durations, although often subdivided into milliseconds, microseconds, or nanoseconds for finer measurements.
- Everyday Life: Counting heartbeats, measuring short durations, coordinating activities.
Common Uses for hours
- Daily Life: Standard unit for structuring the day, work schedules, school periods, sleep duration, and appointments.
- Time Zones: The Earth is divided into 24 primary time zones, each roughly corresponding to one hour of the Sun's apparent movement.
- Travel: Measuring travel times for longer distances (flights, train journeys, road trips).
- Billing: Used for calculating wages (hourly rate), service fees (consulting, labor), and usage charges (parking, rentals).
- Media: Length of television programs, movies, podcasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Second (s)
What is the base unit of time in the SI system?
The second (s) is the base unit of time.
Why is the second defined using atoms?
The atomic definition provides a much more stable and precise standard than relying on the Earth's rotation, which fluctuates slightly.
How many seconds are in a minute?
There are 60 seconds in a minute.
How many seconds are in an hour?
There are 3,600 seconds in an hour (60 seconds/minute * 60 minutes/hour).
About Hour (h)
How many minutes are in an hour?
There are 60 minutes in an hour.
How many seconds are in an hour?
There are 3,600 seconds in an hour (60 minutes/hour * 60 seconds/minute).
Is an hour always the same length?
In modern timekeeping, yes, an hour is fixed at 3,600 seconds. Historically, especially in ancient systems, the length of an hour could vary depending on the season (longer daytime hours in summer, shorter in winter).
How many hours are in a day?
There are 24 hours in a standard day.
Conversion Table: Second to Hour
| Second (s) | Hour (h) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0.001 |
| 10 | 0.003 |
| 25 | 0.007 |
| 50 | 0.014 |
| 100 | 0.028 |
| 500 | 0.139 |
| 1,000 | 0.278 |