How to use the hours calculator
- Enter your start time and end time. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator treats it as an overnight shift.
- Enter any unpaid break in minutes, such as a lunch break.
- Optionally add your hourly rate and the number of shifts per week to estimate your pay.
- Read the total in hours and minutes and in decimal hours for your timesheet.
How work hours are calculated
Example: a shift from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes long. Subtracting a 30-minute lunch leaves 8 hours worked. For an overnight shift from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM with a 30-minute break, the total is 7 hours 30 minutes (7.5 decimal hours).
Converting minutes to decimal hours
Payroll systems usually need hours as a decimal. Divide the minutes by 60: 45 minutes = 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75 hours, so 7 hours 45 minutes = 7.75 hours.
| Minutes | Decimal hours | Minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0.08 | 35 | 0.58 |
| 10 | 0.17 | 40 | 0.67 |
| 15 | 0.25 | 45 | 0.75 |
| 20 | 0.33 | 50 | 0.83 |
| 25 | 0.42 | 55 | 0.92 |
| 30 | 0.50 | 60 | 1.00 |
Overtime
Under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must generally be paid at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Some states, such as California, also require overtime for hours over 8 in a single day. Rules differ elsewhere, so check your local labor laws or employment contract.
Tips for accurate timesheets
- Record your start and end times as you go rather than from memory.
- Note unpaid breaks separately; short rest breaks are often paid.
- Round consistently if your employer rounds — for example, to the nearest 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid breaks. For example, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM is 8.5 hours; minus a 30-minute break, that is 8 hours worked.
How do I calculate hours for an overnight shift?
Add 24 hours to the end time before subtracting the start time. The calculator does this automatically whenever the end time is earlier than the start time.
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add the result to the hours. For example, 6 hours 20 minutes = 6 + 20 ÷ 60 = 6.33 hours.
Is a lunch break included in hours worked?
Unpaid meal breaks are usually not counted as hours worked, so subtract them. Short rest breaks (often 5–20 minutes) are typically paid and should not be subtracted.
How many hours is 9 to 5?
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours. With an unpaid 30-minute lunch, it is 7.5 hours worked, or 37.5 hours over a five-day week.
Results are provided for convenience and rounded for display. Sales tax rules, tipping customs and date conventions differ by location, so check local rules when it matters.
Last updated: