How work hours are calculated
To calculate hours worked, subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid break minutes. The result can be shown as hours and minutes (h:mm) or as a decimal (for payroll systems that use tenths or hundredths of an hour).
Add one row per day to build up a weekly timesheet — the weekly total adds up every row's hours automatically. This tool assumes each shift starts and ends on the same day; it does not currently handle overnight shifts that cross midnight.
How do I calculate hours worked from clock-in and clock-out times?
To calculate hours worked, subtract the clock-in time from the clock-out time to get total time on the clock, then subtract any unpaid break minutes. Example: clocking in at 09:00 and out at 18:00 with a 60-minute unpaid break gives 9 hours on the clock minus 1 hour of break, for 8 hours worked.
Steps to calculate daily and weekly work hours
- Convert clock-in and clock-out times to minutes since midnight (09:00 = 540 minutes, 18:00 = 1,080 minutes).
- Subtract clock-in minutes from clock-out minutes to get total time on the clock (1,080 − 540 = 540 minutes, or 9 hours).
- Subtract unpaid break minutes from that total (540 − 60 = 480 minutes).
- Convert the result back to hours and minutes (480 minutes = 8 hours 0 minutes) or to a decimal (480 ÷ 60 = 8.00 hours).
- Repeat for each day, then add every day's minutes together and convert to get the weekly total.
Work hours formula
Minutes worked = (Clock-out − Clock-in) − Break minutes · Decimal hours = Minutes worked ÷ 60
- Clock-in / Clock-out = the start and end time of a shift, in the same day
- Break minutes = unpaid break time subtracted from the shift, such as a lunch break
- Weekly total = the sum of every day's worked minutes, converted to hours
Example work hours calculations
| Clock in | Clock out | Break | Hours worked |
|---|
| 09:00 | 18:00 | 60 min | 8:00 (8.00h) |
| 09:15 | 17:45 | 45 min | 7:45 (7.75h) |
| 08:30 | 12:00 | 0 min | 3:30 (3.50h) |
| 07:00 | 15:30 | 30 min | 8:00 (8.00h) |
| 10:00 | 19:00 | 60 min | 8:00 (8.00h) |
Frequently asked questions
Why does the calculator show both h:mm and a decimal figure?
Time sheets are often read as hours and minutes (like 7:45), but payroll systems typically need a decimal figure (7.75) to multiply by an hourly rate. This tool shows both so you can use whichever your employer or payroll software requires.
How is a decimal hour different from minutes?
A decimal hour splits 60 minutes into tenths and hundredths rather than minutes: 30 minutes is 0.50 hours, 45 minutes is 0.75 hours, and 15 minutes is 0.25 hours — not 0.30, 0.45, or 0.15.
Can I calculate a night shift that crosses midnight?
Not with this version — the calculator assumes clock-in and clock-out fall on the same day. For an overnight shift, split it into two rows: one ending at 23:59 (or midnight) and one starting at 00:00, then add the two together.
Does the weekly total include unpaid breaks?
No. Break minutes entered for each row are subtracted before the row's hours are added to the weekly total, so the total reflects only time actually worked.
This calculator assumes each row's clock-in and clock-out fall within the same calendar day and does not account for overtime rules, paid breaks, or rounding policies that some employers apply; check your employer's specific timekeeping policy for payroll purposes.