How to use the time calculator
- Hours between times: enter a start and end time and any unpaid break. Shifts that end after midnight are counted correctly. Add an hourly rate to see the pay.
- Add or subtract time: add or take away hours, minutes and seconds, for example to total up time spent on tasks.
- Weekly time card: enter start and end times and breaks for each day to get your total hours for the week, with regular and overtime pay.
How the hours are calculated
Hours worked = (End time − Start time) − Break
If the end time is earlier than the start, add 24 hours
Decimal hours = Minutes ÷ 60
Payroll systems usually need decimal hours: 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours, because 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75.
Worked example
A shift from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunch:
9:00 to 17:30 = 8 h 30 min. Minus the break = 8 h 00 min, or 8.0 hours. At 20 an hour, that's 160 for the day.
A night shift from 22:00 to 06:30 is 8 h 30 min, because the end time is the next morning.
Overtime
In the US, the Fair Labor Standards Act requires most hourly workers to be paid at least 1.5 times their normal rate for hours over 40 in a week. Other countries, states and contracts have different rules, including daily overtime, so you can set your own threshold and rate.
Turning hourly pay into a yearly salary? Use the hourly to salary calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide by 60. 15 minutes is 0.25 hours, 30 minutes is 0.5 and 45 minutes is 0.75. The table under each result lists the common ones.
What if the start and end times are the same?
The calculator counts that as 0 hours. For a 24-hour shift, use the add time option instead.
Does it handle daylight saving changes?
No. On the night the clocks change, a shift is one hour longer or shorter than the clock times suggest, so adjust by an hour.
Sources
Formulas checked 29 October 2026. How we test our calculators. Check important deadlines, hours and pay against the official rules and records that apply to you.