What is the correct datatype to store "Worked Hours"

Question

I am collecting the Worked Hours from users, the format will be like:

1:30
0:45
2:15
8:00
6:19

In SQL SERVER, what kinda of datatype should I use to store that value? I will need to sum this value in some point.

Answer 1

Do not store worked hours, store worked minutes. Your values would become

Time int
---- ---
1:30 90
0:45 45
2:15 135
8:00 480
6:19 379

You will be able to convert it to display as necessary by dividing by 60 and taking the remainder.

Summing, on the other hand, will be very easy.

Answer 2

SQL Server unfortunately doesn't have a data type that represents a time span¹. I would normally suggest an int column and a bit of naming so that it's clear that it's in seconds/minutes/hours - whatever the granularity is that you require.

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¹It has a time data type but that represents a time of day, not a time span. It doesn't make sense to add two times of day together, and this being so, the time data type doesn't support addition.