Hours Worked Calculator

Add up shift hours and subtract unpaid breaks

Payroll rules last updated: July 2026. Sources & methodology.

Shift Times

Hours Worked

8h 0m

8.00 decimal hours after breaks

Total minutes: 480

Overnight shifts are supported when end time is earlier than start time. Meal-break rules vary by employer and state law. See Sources & methodology for assumptions.

How this is calculated

Enter a start time, end time, and unpaid break minutes. The calculator finds elapsed time between the two clock times, subtracts breaks, and returns decimal hours plus hours-and-minutes format.

If end time is earlier than start time on the clock, the shift is treated as crossing midnight — useful for overnight work. Paid meal breaks should not be subtracted; only enter unpaid break minutes.

To total a full week and estimate gross pay with overtime, use the time card calculator.

Formula

Hours worked = (end time - start time, with midnight rollover) - unpaid break minutes

Numbers and assumptions are documented on our Sources & methodology page.

Common questions

If the end time is earlier than the start time on the clock, the calculator assumes the shift crossed midnight and adds 24 hours.