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Work Hours Calculator
Enter a start time, end time and unpaid break to get hours worked in h:mm and decimal hours, with optional pay.
- Hours worked (h:mm)
- 0:00
- Decimal hours
- 0.00
- Pay before taxes
- $0.00
To find hours worked, subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid break. For an overnight shift, add 24 hours to the end time first. For example, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM with a 30-minute break is 7 hours 30 minutes, or 7.5 decimal hours.
The formula
Decimal hours = minutes / 60
Pay = decimal hours x hourly rate
Worked example
Shift: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute unpaid break, at $22.00 an hour.
From 9:00 to 17:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes. Minus the 30-minute break is 8 hours 0 minutes (8:00).
Decimal hours: 480 / 60 = 8.00. Pay: 8.00 x $22.00 = $176.00.
Overnight check: 22:00 to 06:00 is 8 hours. Minus a 30-minute break is 7:30, or 7.5 decimal hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked between two times?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid break. From 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes, and with a 30-minute unpaid break it is 8 hours. Enter times in this calculator and it does the subtraction for you.
How do I calculate hours for an overnight shift?
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift crosses midnight, so add 24 hours to the end time before subtracting. A shift from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is 8 hours, or 7.5 hours after a 30-minute break. Keep the overnight box ticked.
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours. 7 hours 30 minutes is 7 + 30/60 = 7.5. 3 hours 45 minutes is 3.75. Payroll systems usually want decimal hours because you can multiply them directly by an hourly rate.
How do I calculate pay from hours worked?
Multiply decimal hours by the hourly rate. For 8 hours at $22 an hour, pay is 8 x $22 = $176.00. This calculator shows pay before taxes and deductions, so it is not the same as take-home pay.
Should the unpaid break come out of my hours?
If the break is unpaid, yes, subtract it from the time between start and end. If your employer pays for breaks, enter 0 minutes. Whether a meal break must be paid depends on your employer's policy and your state's rules.
Why does the calculator show an error when the end time is before the start time?
Without the overnight option, an earlier end time looks like a mistake, so the calculator asks you to check it instead of guessing. Tick the overnight box if the shift really ends the next day.
Results are estimates for planning. Your employer's rounding rules and local labor law may differ.