How to calculate hours worked
To work out the hours for a shift, subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract unpaid breaks. A shift from 9:00 to 17:00 is 8 hours, and with a 30-minute unpaid break it is 7 hours 30 minutes. If a shift ends after midnight, add 24 hours to the end time before subtracting.
This calculator does the arithmetic for a whole week at once, so you can fill in each day and see the total at the bottom. It is useful for timesheets, invoices for freelance work, checking a payslip and planning your own schedule.
How to use the hours calculator
- Enter the start and end time for each day you worked. Leave a day blank if you did not work.
- Enter the unpaid break in minutes for each day.
- Read the hours for each day and the total, in hours and minutes and in decimal hours.
- Optionally enter your hourly rate to see the total pay.
- Set overtime after a number of hours per week and a multiplier, such as 1.5, to include overtime pay.
Hours and minutes or decimal hours?
Time is written in hours and minutes, but payroll and invoices usually need decimal hours, because you multiply them by a rate. To convert, divide the minutes by 60: 7 hours 30 minutes is 7.5 hours, and 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours. Do not simply write 7.30, which is a common mistake. The calculator shows both forms next to each other.
Overtime
Many countries require higher pay for hours beyond a weekly or daily limit. In the United States, for example, many employees must be paid at least one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a week. Rules differ by country, state, industry and contract, so treat the overtime option as a way to estimate, and check your own agreement or local law for the exact rules.
Tips for accurate timesheets
- Record times at the moment you start and finish, not from memory at the end of the week.
- Use 24-hour times to avoid mixing up am and pm.
- Only enter unpaid breaks. Paid breaks count as working time.
- Check whether your employer rounds time to the nearest 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
- Keep a copy of your hours in case of a dispute.
Example: a week of shifts
Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute break is 8 hours each, or 32 hours. Friday 9:00 to 15:00 with no break adds 6 hours, so the week totals 38 hours or 38.00 in decimal. At an hourly rate of 20, the pay is 760. If you worked a night shift from 22:00 to 06:00 with a 30-minute break, the tool counts 7 hours 30 minutes, because it recognizes that the shift ends on the next day.
Time to decimal hours
| Time worked | Decimal hours |
|---|---|
| 7:30 | 7.50 |
| 7:45 | 7.75 |
| 8:15 | 8.25 |
| 37:30 | 37.50 |
| 40:00 | 40.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate hours between two times?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract unpaid breaks.
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours. 7:30 is 7.5.
How does it handle overnight shifts?
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift is counted as ending the next day.
Can it calculate my pay?
Yes. Enter an hourly rate, and optionally overtime rules, to see an estimate.
Does it include breaks?
Breaks you enter are subtracted from the day, so enter only unpaid breaks.
How many hours is a full-time week?
Often 35 to 40 hours, depending on the country and employer.
Is my timesheet saved?
No. Nothing is uploaded or stored.