Minute (min) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Minute?
Definition
A minute is a unit of time equal to 60 seconds. It is also equal to 1/60th of an hour.
History
The division of the hour into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds originates from the Babylonians, who used a sexagesimal (base-60) system for mathematics and astronomy. This system was later adopted by Greek astronomers like Ptolemy. The term "minute" comes from the Latin "pars minuta prima" (first small part), referring to the first division of the hour.
Common Uses
- Everyday Timing: The most common unit for measuring short to medium durations, such as cooking times, meeting lengths, travel times between nearby locations, reading time.
- Scheduling: Used extensively in calendars, appointment setting, and timetables.
- Clocks & Watches: Standard display unit on analog and digital timepieces.
- Navigation: In geography and navigation, a minute of arc (arcminute) is 1/60th of a degree. Latitude and longitude are often expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
- Sports: Timing rounds, periods, or intervals in various sports.
Unit FAQs
How many seconds are in a minute?
There are 60 seconds in a minute.
How many minutes are in an hour?
There are 60 minutes in an hour.
Why are there 60 minutes in an hour?
This convention dates back to the Babylonian base-60 number system, which influenced later systems of timekeeping and angular measurement.
Minute Conversion Formulas
To Second:
To Hour:
To Day:
To Week:
To Month:
To Year:
To Millisecond:
To Microsecond:
To Nanosecond:
To Decade:
To Century:
To Millennium:
To Fortnight:
To Planck Time:
To Shake:
To Sidereal Day:
To Sidereal Year:
Convert Minute
Need to convert Minute to other time units? Use our conversion tool.