ISO 8601 Duration Converter

Convert ISO 8601 duration strings to human-readable format

What is ISO 8601 Duration?

ISO 8601 duration format is an international standard for representing time periods using a specific string format like PT1H30M (1 hour 30 minutes) or P1DT2H30M (1 day 2 hours 30 minutes). This format is widely used in APIs, databases, structured data markup, and programming to ensure consistent time representation across different systems.

Our free online tool makes it easy to convert between ISO 8601 duration strings and human-readable formats, or generate valid strings from individual time components. Whether you're a developer working with APIs, an SEO professional implementing structured data, or a data analyst processing time-based information, our converter eliminates the guesswork and potential errors that come with manual duration string creation.

Examples: PT1H30M (1 hour 30 minutes), P1DT2H30M (1 day 2 hours 30 minutes), PT45S (45 seconds)
Enter values for each component. Weeks cannot be combined with other units according to ISO 8601 standard.
Enter a valid ISO 8601 duration string above

How to Use Our Converter

Our tool offers two convenient ways to work with ISO 8601 duration strings:

📝 Text Input Mode

  1. Enter your duration string: Type or paste an ISO 8601 duration string (e.g., PT1H30M, P1DT2H30M)
  2. Get instant results: The tool automatically converts it to human-readable format
  3. Copy the output: Use the copy button to copy the result to your clipboard

🔢 Individual Fields Mode

  1. Enter time components: Fill in the values for years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds
  2. Generate the string: The tool automatically creates the correct ISO 8601 format
  3. Copy the result: Use the copy button to get the generated duration string

💡 Pro tip: Switch between modes using the toggle buttons above. The tool remembers your input when switching modes!

From Our Guides

Deepen your understanding of ISO 8601 duration format with our comprehensive guides and tutorials:

📚 The Definitive Guide to ISO 8601 Durations

Complete guide to understanding the PnYnMnDTnHnMnS format with examples and use cases.

📊 ISO 8601 for Spreadsheets

Learn how to work with ISO 8601 duration strings in Excel, Google Sheets, and other spreadsheet applications.

🐍 Parsing ISO 8601 with Python

Step-by-step tutorial for parsing and working with ISO 8601 duration strings in Python.

🗄️ Storing ISO 8601 in Databases

Best practices for storing and querying ISO 8601 duration strings in various database systems.

⚡ JavaScript Temporal API

Modern JavaScript approach to working with ISO 8601 duration strings using the Temporal API.

📖 Start Learning