Calculate total hours worked between a start time and end time, useful for timesheets.
Total minutes = (end time − start time) − unpaid break, then converted to decimal hours for easy payroll entry.
This calculator finds the total time elapsed between a start time and end time, typically used for tracking work shifts, and can account for unpaid break time to find total paid hours. Time can be entered in 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour format.
For a shift from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break: 8.5 hours elapsed − 0.5 hours break = 8.0 paid hours.
When the end time is earlier in the clock than the start time (e.g., 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM), the calculation assumes the shift crosses midnight into the next day, adding 24 hours before subtracting, rather than producing a negative result.
| Minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|
| 15 | 0.25 |
| 30 | 0.50 |
| 45 | 0.75 |
| 10 | 0.17 |
Payroll systems typically use decimal hours rather than hours-and-minutes, since decimal values are easier to multiply directly by an hourly rate.
Example 1 — Standard day shift: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch: 8.5 hours elapsed − 0.5 = 8.0 paid hours.
Example 2 — Overnight shift: 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM crosses midnight: treating end time as next-day 7:00 AM (31:00 on a 24-hour continuous clock) minus 23:00 gives 8.0 hours worked.
Example 3 — Weekly total for overtime: Five 8.5-hour shifts (with breaks already subtracted) total 42.5 hours for the week — 2.5 hours over the standard 40-hour US overtime threshold.
| Hours worked | Regular pay (at $20/hr) | Overtime pay (1.5×) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 hours | $800 | $0 |
| 45 hours | $800 | 5 × $30 = $150 |
| 50 hours | $800 | 10 × $30 = $300 |
How are overnight shifts handled? The calculation adds 24 hours to the end time when it appears earlier than the start time, correctly reflecting a shift that crosses midnight.
Why does payroll use decimal hours instead of hours and minutes? Decimal hours multiply cleanly against an hourly wage (e.g., 7.25 hours × rate), while hours-and-minutes format requires extra conversion steps.
Should I subtract paid breaks? No — only unpaid break time should be subtracted from total hours worked for pay calculation purposes.
How is overtime typically calculated in the US? Under federal rules, overtime generally applies to hours worked beyond 40 in a single work week, paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate, though some states have additional daily overtime rules.
What's the difference between clocked hours and scheduled hours? Scheduled hours are the planned shift times; clocked (actual) hours reflect real clock-in/clock-out times, which can differ due to early arrivals, late departures, or unscheduled breaks.
How do I convert 7 hours 45 minutes into decimal format? Divide the minutes by 60 and add to the hours: 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75, so 7 hours 45 minutes = 7.75 decimal hours.
Do lunch breaks count as work hours if I'm required to stay on-site? This depends on local labor law — some jurisdictions require paid breaks if the employee isn't fully relieved of duty, so it's worth checking applicable regulations rather than assuming.
A shift starting at 9:15 AM and ending at 5:45 PM totals 8 hours and 30 minutes of elapsed time — subtract any unpaid break time separately if needed for payroll purposes.
Elapsed time: The total duration between a start and end time.
Timesheet: A record of hours worked, often used for payroll or billing.