Work Hours Calculator

Calculate elapsed time between a start and end time, then subtract unpaid or unpaid-equivalent break minutes as appropriate for your situation.

Result

How it works

The calculator finds the elapsed time between the start and end. If the end time is earlier than or equal to the start time, it treats the shift as ending the following day. The break duration is then subtracted.

Example

A shift from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute break equals 8 working hours.

Assumptions and limitations

This simple calculator treats times as local clock times and assumes a shift is shorter than or equal to 24 hours. It does not determine whether a break is legally unpaid or calculate overtime under any jurisdiction's rules.

Work Hours Calculator: guide and examples

A work hours calculator estimates the elapsed time between a shift’s start and end, then subtracts breaks when appropriate. It can help check timesheets, compare shifts, and convert paid time to decimal hours.

Formula

Net work time = end time − start time − unpaid breaks. For example, 09:00 to 17:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes; subtract a 30-minute unpaid break to get 8 paid hours.

How to use it

  1. Enter the start and end times.
  2. Enter unpaid break duration, if applicable.
  3. Check overnight shifts and confirm the output format before entering it on a timesheet.

Important details

Employer rules, overtime thresholds, paid breaks, daylight-saving changes, and local labor laws may affect payroll. Use this as a timekeeping aid, not as a legal determination of wages.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours is 09:00–17:30? 8.5 elapsed hours. What about a 30-minute unpaid break? Net time becomes 8 hours.