Hours Worked Calculator
One shift in, exact hours out. Handles unpaid breaks and overnight graveyard shifts automatically, with decimal output for payroll and an optional pay estimate.
End time earlier than start time? We treat it as an overnight shift automatically.
Three ways people count hours worked — and why they disagree
The span between clock punches is not always the paid time. Employers count one of three ways:
- Exact minutes: every minute counts, results in decimals like 7.88. Most common with digital time clocks.
- Quarter-hour rounding: punches round to :00, :15, :30, :45 (7 minutes down, 8 up). Slightly rougher, legal in most U.S. states if applied even-handedly.
- Fixed shifts: you are paid for the scheduled shift regardless of small punch differences.
This calculator uses exact minutes, so it shows the maximum defensible figure for your timesheet. If your paycheck differs slightly, ask which method your employer uses.
Overnight example: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM
A graveyard shift is where hand calculations usually go wrong — people subtract and get a negative number. The correct method: add 24 hours to the end time (6:00 AM becomes 30:00), then subtract the start (22:00). That gives 480 minutes = 8.00 hours, minus your unpaid break. The tool above does this automatically whenever the end time is earlier than the start time.
Questions people ask
How do I calculate hours worked in a day?
Subtract your clock-in time from your clock-out time, then subtract unpaid breaks. Example: clock in 8:00 AM, clock out 4:30 PM, 30-minute unpaid lunch → 510 minutes − 30 = 480 minutes = 8.00 hours.
How do I calculate a night shift, like 10 PM to 6 AM?
When the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift crossed midnight: add 24 hours to the end time before subtracting. 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is exactly 8 hours. This calculator detects overnight spans automatically.
How much is 8 hours of work at $15 an hour?
8 × $15 = $120 gross. Enter any rate in the calculator to see your own estimated pay as you change the hours.
Do I get paid for a 30-minute lunch?
Usually not — under U.S. federal law a bona fide meal period of 30+ minutes where you are fully relieved of duty is unpaid. Short 5–20 minute rest breaks are normally paid. Your state or contract may be more generous.