SECOND function
Quick answer
SECOND returns the seconds part of a time as a number from 0 to 59.
- Syntax
=SECOND(serial_number)- Most common use
=SECOND(A2)returns 15 (12:07:15 PM gives 15)
Use it with HOUR and MINUTE to take apart lap times, log timestamps or call durations, or to check whether recorded times carry seconds at all. Times are stored to the second, so it rounds tiny leftovers away.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Date functions
- Returns
- A whole number from 0 to 59.
- Google Sheets
- Works the same in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=SECOND(serial_number)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
serial_number | Required | A time, a date and time, or time text. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2 | =SECOND(A2) | 15 | 12:07:15 PM gives 15 |
| B3 | =MINUTE(A2) | 7 | And 7 minutes |
| B4 | =SECOND(A3) | 0 | One minute exactly has 0 seconds |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Time | Result |
| 1/5/2026 12:07:15 | 15 |
| 12:01 AM | 7 |
| 0 |
Practice SECOND
Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Seconds of each lap
B2, return the seconds part of each lap time in A2. Fill down to B6.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Always 0 | The times were entered without seconds, or the cell holds only a date. |
| #VALUE! | The cell holds text that isn't a time. |
Tips
- =A2*86400 turns a duration into total seconds.
Questions
How do I get the seconds from a time in Excel?
=SECOND(A2) returns 0–59. Format the time as h:mm:ss to see seconds in the cell.
How do I convert a time to total seconds?
Multiply by 86400, the seconds in a day: =A2*86400.
Updated Checked by running: every formula on this page was run by our formula engine on .