Work hours calculator
This work hours calculator adds up a shift: enter the start and end time, subtract the unpaid break, and see exactly how long you worked.
It also converts the shift into decimal hours for your time card and multiplies them by an hourly rate when you enter one.
Time worked
8 h 0 min
In decimal hours: 8
How the shift is counted
The calculator subtracts the start time from the end time. When the end time is earlier than the start, it treats the shift as running past midnight and adds 24 hours. The unpaid break is then removed from the total.
- 9:00–18:00 with a 60-minute break: 9 hours minus 1 = 8 hours.
- Night shift 22:00–06:00 with no break: 8 hours.
- 8:30–17:15 with a 45-minute break: 8 hours 45 minutes minus 45 = 8 hours.
Decimal hours for a time card
Payroll systems usually want decimal hours instead of hours and minutes. Divide the minutes by 60 to get there.
| Hours and minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|
| 7 h 15 min | 7.25 |
| 7 h 30 min | 7.50 |
| 7 h 45 min | 7.75 |
| 8 h 20 min | 8.33 |
| 11 h 40 min | 11.67 |
What to keep in mind
- A meal break is normally unpaid, so enter it in the break field to get net working time.
- Short rest breaks are more often paid and stay inside the shift.
- Overtime is usually measured against a period — a week or a month — rather than a single day.
- Night, weekend and holiday premiums sit on top of the base amount; this calculator shows the base pay only.
Adding up a week
Calculate every shift separately and sum the decimal hours: that total is what a time card expects. Comparing it with your contracted hours shows whether the week ran into overtime.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked?
Subtract the start time from the end time and remove the break. The calculator does this automatically, including shifts that cross midnight.
How do I convert 8 hours 20 minutes to decimal?
Divide the minutes by 60: 20 ÷ 60 = 0.33, so the shift is 8.33 hours.
Does it handle overnight shifts?
Yes. When the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift is treated as running past midnight.
Should the lunch break be included?
Usually not — an unpaid meal break is excluded from working time. Enter its length in the break field.
How is the shift pay calculated?
Decimal hours are multiplied by the hourly rate you enter. Overtime and premium rates are set by your employer and are not applied automatically.
Updated: 2026-08-09