To calculate your total hours worked, subtract your start time from your end time to get your gross shift length. Then, subtract any unpaid break durations. For example, if you clock in at 09:00 and clock out at 17:30 (8.5 hours) and take a 30-minute unpaid lunch, your total net hours worked is 8.0 hours. In payroll, this is often expressed in decimal format (8.00 hours) rather than hours and minutes.

In the UK, there is no statutory legal requirement for employers to pay extra for overtime, unless it takes your average working hours below the National Minimum Wage. However, most employment contracts specify overtime rates, typically ‘time and a half’ (1.5x your normal hourly rate) or ‘double time’ (2x). Always check your specific contract or employee handbook to see how overtime is calculated and whether it is guaranteed or voluntary.

The UK National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) was set at £11.44 per hour in April 2024. The government typically reviews and increases this rate annually in April. For the most accurate and up-to-date figure for 2026, you should check the official GOV.UK website, as the rate is subject to annual adjustments based on economic recommendations.

Yes, this calculator is perfect for shift work. You can enter your specific shift start and end times, including night shifts that cross midnight. The calculator will automatically calculate the correct duration. Simply ensure you enter the correct break duration for your shift, as longer shifts (like 12-hour nursing or factory shifts) often have multiple breaks or longer unpaid meal periods.

To calculate your hourly rate from an annual salary, divide your gross annual salary by 52 (the number of weeks in a year) to get your weekly pay. Then, divide that weekly pay by the number of hours you work per week. For example, if you earn £30,000 a year and work 37.5 hours a week: £30,000 ÷ 52 = £576.92 per week. £576.92 ÷ 37.5 = £15.38 per hour.

Under the UK Working Time Regulations 1998, most workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20-minute rest break during their working day if they work more than 6 hours. Whether this break is paid or unpaid depends on the terms of your employment contract. Many employers offer unpaid lunch breaks, meaning this time is deducted from your total payable hours. Shorter ‘tea breaks’ or rest periods are often paid and included in working time.

Under the UK Working Time Regulations, you cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average. This average is usually calculated over a 17-week reference period. However, you can choose to ‘opt out’ of this 48-hour limit and work more if you wish. If you are under 18, the rules are stricter: you cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, and you cannot opt out.

Most payroll systems and timesheets use decimal hours rather than minutes because it makes calculating pay much easier. To convert minutes to decimals, divide the minutes by 60. For example, 15 minutes is 0.25 hours, 30 minutes is 0.50 hours, and 45 minutes is 0.75 hours. A shift of 7 hours and 30 minutes is recorded as 7.50 hours in decimal format.