Free Work Hours Calculator
Accurately track your time worked, deduct break periods, and estimate your total earnings. Perfect for employees, freelancers, and payroll management.
Calculate Your Work Hours
Enter your shift details below. The calculator automatically handles overnight shifts and break deductions to give you an accurate total.
Time & Pay Calculator
Fill in your shift details to get instant results
Time Tracking Tips
Best practices for accurate payroll
How to Calculate Hours Worked
Understanding the math behind your timesheet ensures you are always paid fairly and accurately.
Record Start and End Times
Note the exact time you begin work and the time you finish. Use the 24-hour clock (e.g., 14:30) to avoid AM/PM confusion, especially for afternoon shifts.
Calculate Gross Duration
Subtract the start time from the end time. If the end time is earlier than the start time (e.g., a night shift from 22:00 to 06:00), add 24 hours to the end time before subtracting.
Deduct Unpaid Breaks
Subtract any unpaid meal or rest breaks from the gross duration. A standard unpaid lunch break is often 30 or 60 minutes.
Convert to Decimal for Payroll
To calculate pay, convert minutes to a decimal by dividing by 60. For example, 7 hours and 45 minutes becomes 7.75 hours. Multiply this by your hourly rate.
Standard Workplace Rules (UK)
A general summary of standard working time regulations and break entitlements.
| Work Duration | Statutory Break Entitlement | Common Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4.5 hours | No statutory break required | Short 10-15 min rest (often paid) |
| 4.5 to 6 hours | Minimum 20 minutes uninterrupted | 30 minute unpaid lunch break |
| Over 6 hours | Minimum 20 minutes uninterrupted | 30 to 60 minute unpaid lunch break |
| Over 8 hours (Night Work) | Average of 8 hours per 24-hour period | Additional rest periods may apply |
| Weekly Maximum | 48 hours per week (on average) | Can be opted out of voluntarily |
Hours Calculator FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about tracking work hours and payroll.
To calculate total work hours, note your start time and end time. Calculate the difference between the two, then subtract any unpaid break times. For example, working from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a 30-minute break equals 7.5 hours.
Yes. If your end time is earlier than your start time (e.g., starting at 10:00 PM and ending at 6:00 AM), the calculator automatically assumes the shift crosses midnight and adds 24 hours to the end time for an accurate calculation.
You can choose to deduct breaks. Most employers do not pay for unpaid meal breaks (typically 30 or 60 minutes). Simply enter your break duration in minutes, and the calculator will subtract it from your total time worked.
In the UK, there is no statutory right to overtime pay, but your average pay must not fall below the National Minimum Wage. Many employers offer ‘time and a half’ (1.5x) or ‘double time’ (2x) for hours worked beyond your standard contracted hours, as defined in your employment contract.