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Hours calculator

Know exactly how long you worked.

Enter your start and end times, take out any unpaid break, and see your hours in both clock format and decimal hours for payroll, plus your pay if you add a rate. Overnight shifts are handled automatically.

Your shift

min
Optional: pay
$

Leave the rate at 0 to just count hours. If your end time is earlier than your start time, the shift is treated as crossing midnight.

Hours worked
0.00
decimal hours

What this means

    Your shift at a glance

    Clock time to decimal hours

    Payroll systems use decimal hours. Every 15 minutes is a quarter hour: 15 min = 0.25, 30 min = 0.50, 45 min = 0.75.

    MinutesDecimalMinutesDecimal

    Pay by shift length

    Worked hours and pay at your current rate for common shift lengths (break already removed where it applies).

    ShiftHours (h:m)DecimalPay

    Work hours, explained

    How Work Hours Are Calculated

    Work hours are computed by finding the difference between your end time and start time, then subtracting any break periods. The result is expressed in both hours-and-minutes and decimal hours for payroll compatibility.

    Decimal Hours for Payroll

    Most payroll systems require decimal hours. For example, 8 hours and 15 minutes equals 8.25 decimal hours. This calculator converts automatically so you can enter your timesheet accurately without manual math.

    Break Time Requirements

    Federal law does not mandate meal or rest breaks, but most states require a 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts over 5 or 6 hours. Some states also require paid 10-minute rest breaks. Always deduct unpaid breaks from your total hours.

    Overtime Considerations

    Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 per week. Some states require daily overtime for shifts over 8 hours. Track your daily hours carefully to ensure proper overtime pay.

    Common questions

    How do I enter times in 24-hour format?

    In 24-hour format, hours range from 0 (midnight) to 23 (11 PM). For example, 1 PM is 13, 5:30 PM is hour 17 with 30 minutes, and 9 AM is simply 9.

    What if my shift crosses midnight?

    If your end hour is smaller than your start hour, the calculator assumes you worked through midnight. For example, start at 22 (10 PM) and end at 6 (6 AM) gives 8 hours.

    Are paid breaks included in total hours?

    The break time you enter is subtracted from the total. If your break is paid, enter 0 for break minutes to include that time in your total hours worked.

    How do I calculate weekly hours?

    Calculate each day separately and add the results. If you work the same schedule daily, multiply one day result by the number of days worked.

    Estimates for planning only. Actual paid hours depend on your employer rounding rules, break policy, overtime rules and local labor law. Verify against your official timesheet.