How to calculate hours worked
- Write down start and end times for each shift. Convert PM times to 24-hour time to make the math easier (5:30 PM = 17:30).
- Subtract the start from the end. 17:30 − 8:00 = 9 hours 30 minutes.
- Subtract unpaid breaks. A 30 minute unpaid lunch makes it 9:00. Short paid breaks stay in.
- Add up the days for the week. Add hours and minutes separately and carry every 60 minutes over as 1 hour.
- Convert to decimal hours for pay: divide the minutes by 60. 37 hours 45 minutes = 37.75 hours.
Common mistakes
- Treating minutes as decimals. 7 hours 30 minutes is 7.5 hours, not 7.3. See the minutes to decimal chart.
- Overnight shifts. A shift from 10 PM to 6 AM is 8 hours. This calculator counts an end time earlier than the start as the next day.
- Forgetting overtime. This page adds up hours only. Hours over 40 in a week (or over 8 in a day in some places) are usually paid at a higher rate. Use the full time card calculator for overtime and gross pay.
Source: US DOL Fact Sheet #22: Hours Worked
Questions
How do I calculate my hours worked in a week?
For each day subtract your start time from your end time, take off unpaid breaks, then add the days together. Divide leftover minutes by 60 to get decimal hours for pay.
Are lunch breaks counted as hours worked?
In the US, meal breaks of 30 minutes or more when you are fully relieved of duty are usually unpaid, so they are subtracted. Short breaks of 5 to 20 minutes are paid work time under federal law.
How do I calculate hours worked for an overnight shift?
Add 24 hours to the end time if it is earlier than the start. 22:00 to 06:00 becomes 22:00 to 30:00, which is 8 hours.