Work Hours Calculator
Calculate work hours with break deduction. Start time, end time, break minutes.
Free · Runs in your browser · No signup
Examples to try
Hours
Worked time = end − start − break. Use 24-hour HH:MM style inputs when possible.
Common mistakes
- Overnight shifts without handling midnight crossover.
- Forgetting unpaid breaks.
- Mixing AM/PM formats inconsistently.
Scope: Simple shift duration helper for personal time sheets.
How to Use
Enter your values in the fields above and click Calculate to get instant results. All computations run locally in your browser. No data is ever uploaded or stored.
Related Calculators
Work-Hours & Break Calculation
CalcSolver converts start and end times to total minutes, subtracts the difference, then deducts break time. Overnight shifts (end time earlier than start time) are detected automatically by adding 24 hours.
Minutes worked = (end in minutes − start in minutes + 1440 if overnight) − break minutes
Typical Full-Time Schedules
Standard full-time: 8h/day × 5 days = 40h/week · 37.5h/week: 7.5h/day with 30-min unpaid break
Compressed: 4 × 10h days = 40h/week · 9/80 schedule: 80h over 2 weeks, every other Friday off
US federal overtime: 1.5× regular rate beyond 40h/week. Some states require overtime beyond 8h/day.
How Work Hours Are Calculated
Work hours calculation involves subtracting break time from the difference between start and end times. The formula is: Work Hours = (End Time - Start Time) - Break Duration. Results are typically expressed in hours and minutes, and may be converted to decimal for payroll (e.g., 7h 30m = 7.5 hours).
Standard full-time work is typically 40 hours per week (8 hours/day × 5 days). Many countries have different standard work weeks: 35 hours in France, 37.5 hours in some UK industries, and 48 hours maximum in many developing countries under ILO conventions.
Overtime is generally calculated at 1.5× the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week (in the US under the Fair Labor Standards Act). Some states also require daily overtime for hours beyond 8 per day. Double time may apply for hours beyond 12 per day or on certain holidays.
Calculation Examples
Example 1 — Standard day: Start at 9:00 AM, end at 5:30 PM, 30-minute lunch break. Total time: 8.5 hours. Minus break: 8.5 - 0.5 = 8.0 hours worked.
Example 2 — Split shift: Start at 8:00 AM, end at 6:00 PM, 1-hour lunch break. Total time: 10 hours. Minus break: 10 - 1 = 9 hours worked. Weekly total (5 days): 45 hours, including 5 hours overtime.
Example 3 — Night shift: Start at 10:00 PM, end at 6:00 AM, 30-minute break. Total time: 8 hours (crosses midnight). Minus break: 7.5 hours worked. Night shift differential pay (typically 10-15% extra) may apply.
Tips for Tracking Work Hours
- Record in real-time: Log your start and end times as they happen, not at the end of the week. Memory is unreliable for precise times.
- Include all breaks: Short breaks (5-20 minutes) are typically paid. Meal breaks (30+ minutes) are typically unpaid. Know your employer's policy.
- Track overtime carefully: Overtime thresholds vary by jurisdiction. Some require daily overtime (over 8 hours/day), others only weekly (over 40 hours/week).
- Use decimal conversion: For payroll, convert minutes to decimal: 15 min = 0.25, 30 min = 0.50, 45 min = 0.75. This prevents calculation errors.
- Keep records: Many jurisdictions require employers to maintain accurate time records. Keep your own backup for dispute resolution.
Sponsored Content
The following content is provided by our advertising partner and does not affect the calculator experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate hours worked?
Enter your clock-in and clock-out times. The calculator subtracts start from end time and optionally deducts break time to show total hours worked.
How do I calculate overtime?
Enter your regular hours per day or week (typically 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week). The calculator shows regular and overtime hours separately.
How do I convert hours worked to pay?
Multiply total hours by your hourly rate. For overtime, multiply overtime hours by 1.5× your rate (standard overtime rate). Our calculator can compute both regular and overtime pay.
What counts as working time?
Working time generally includes all time an employee is required to be on duty, on the employer's premises, or at a prescribed workplace. This includes training time, waiting time (if the employee cannot use the time freely), and travel time during work hours. Commuting to/from work is generally not counted.
How is overtime calculated for salaried employees?
Non-exempt salaried employees are entitled to overtime. Calculate their hourly rate by dividing weekly salary by 40 hours, then pay 1.5× that rate for overtime hours. Exempt employees (executive, administrative, professional roles above a salary threshold) are not entitled to overtime under FLSA.
Can my employer require me to work more than 8 hours per day?
In most US states, yes — there is no legal maximum for daily hours for adults. However, overtime pay may be required. Some states (California, Colorado, Nevada) require daily overtime after 8 hours. Federal law only requires overtime after 40 hours per week.