Work Hours Calculator
The work hours calculator helps you calculate hours worked, subtract unpaid breaks, track shifts, and estimate regular pay and overtime. Add multiple shifts to build a daily or weekly timesheet; overnight shifts that finish the next day are supported too.
To get started, enter each shift’s start and end time. Then add break minutes and, if needed, your hourly rate and overtime settings.
Calculate hours worked
Use 24-hour or AM/PM time selection, depending on your device. Add one row per work period.
| Shift | Start time | End time | Unpaid break (min) | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Overnight shifts are counted as ending on the following day when the end time is earlier than the start time. Overtime and pay are estimates, not a payroll or legal determination.
How to use this work hours calculator
First, enter the time you started and finished each shift. Next, type the number of unpaid break minutes, such as an unpaid lunch break. If a shift crosses midnight, enter its actual start and end times; the calculator treats an earlier end time as the following day.
For a weekly total, add every shift you want included. Then, optionally enter your hourly pay rate, choose a currency, and set the regular-hours threshold and overtime multiplier. The results update automatically, so you can compare total paid hours, decimal hours, breaks, overtime, and estimated gross pay.
Important: overtime rules vary by location, employer, and pay period. This tool applies the threshold you enter to all shifts listed in the calculator. It does not automatically determine local labor-law eligibility, taxes, premiums, or different rates for weekends and holidays.
Work Hours Calculator Formula
1. Shift duration
Elapsed shift time is the difference between the start and end times. If the end time is earlier than the start time, one day (24 hours) is added to account for an overnight shift.
2. Paid hours after breaks
Next, unpaid break minutes are converted into hours and deducted from elapsed time.
Formula: Paid hours = elapsed hours − unpaid break hours.
3. Decimal hours
Decimal hours are useful for timesheets and payroll calculations. For example, 7 hours 30 minutes equals 7.50 decimal hours, because 30 minutes is 30 ÷ 60 = 0.50 hour.
4. Estimated overtime pay
When a pay rate is entered, regular hours are multiplied by the hourly rate. Hours above your chosen threshold are multiplied by the selected overtime factor. The results are estimates based only on the inputs provided.
Work Hours Calculator Example
Suppose you work from 9:00 AM until 5:30 PM and take a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. The elapsed time is 8 hours 30 minutes. After subtracting the break, your paid work time is 8 hours, or 8.00 decimal hours. At an hourly rate of $20, the estimated gross pay for that shift is $160 before taxes or other deductions.
Quick reference
15 minutes = 0.25 hours · 30 minutes = 0.50 hours · 45 minutes = 0.75 hours · 1 hour = 1.00 hour
Related time tools and overtime guidance
For other time calculations, try our Time Converter or Time Zone Converter.
Overtime laws differ by country and employment situation. For U.S. federal guidance, read the U.S. Department of Labor overtime guidance; check the rules that apply where you work.
Work Hours Calculator FAQs
How do I calculate hours worked with a lunch break?
Calculate the time between your start and end times, then subtract the unpaid lunch break in minutes. For example, 8 hours 30 minutes on site minus a 30-minute unpaid break equals 8 paid hours.
Can this calculator handle overnight shifts?
Yes. If your end time is earlier than your start time, the calculator assumes that the shift ends the following day. For a shift lasting exactly 24 hours or longer, split it into separate rows because a time-only field cannot identify multiple full days.
What is the difference between hours and decimal hours?
Hours and minutes show time in clock format, while decimal hours express the same duration as a decimal number. For example, 6 hours 45 minutes is 6.75 hours, which can be easier to enter in a timesheet.
Can I calculate a weekly timesheet?
Yes. Add each work period for the week, including shifts on different days. The calculator adds the entered shifts together. For clarity, keep the rows limited to the pay period you want to total.
Does the calculator calculate legally correct overtime?
No. It applies the regular-hours threshold and multiplier you choose, but legal overtime rules differ by jurisdiction and can depend on daily limits, workweeks, agreements, and other conditions. Check your employer’s policy and applicable local rules.
Does the estimated pay include taxes or deductions?
No. The gross-pay estimate does not deduct taxes, insurance, pension contributions, or other withholdings. It also does not automatically include tips, allowances, holiday rates, or shift premiums.