Work Hours
Hours Worked Calculator
Enter a start and end time to see exactly how many hours you worked. Subtract an unpaid break, add a second or third session for split shifts, and get the total in hours and minutes or decimal hours.
How to calculate hours worked
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid break. If the finish time is earlier than the start, the shift ran past midnight, so add 24 hours. To get decimal hours for payroll, divide the leftover minutes by 60.
hours worked = (end − start, +24h if overnight) − unpaid break
Minutes to decimal, at a glance
| Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|
| 10 | 0.17 |
| 15 | 0.25 |
| 20 | 0.33 |
| 30 | 0.50 |
| 40 | 0.67 |
| 45 | 0.75 |
Need the full chart or a bulk converter? Use the Decimal Hours Calculator.
Related calculations
- A whole week of shifts with overtime and pay: Time Card Calculator.
- Clock-in / clock-out punches for payroll: Time Clock Calculator.
- Just adding and subtracting time values: Time Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is 9 AM to 5:30 PM?
8 hours and 30 minutes, or 8.5 in decimal hours. With a 30-minute unpaid lunch it's 8 hours (8.0).
How does the calculator handle a shift that ends after midnight?
If the end time is earlier than the start time — for example 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM — it assumes the shift crossed midnight and counts 8 hours.
What's a decimal hour?
Payroll systems use decimals instead of minutes: divide the minutes by 60. 15 minutes = 0.25, 30 = 0.50, 45 = 0.75. So 7 hours 45 minutes = 7.75 hours, not 7.45.
Can I add up a split shift?
Yes. Use sessions 2 and 3 for a morning and evening shift on the same day; the calculator totals them.
Does this calculate overtime?
No — this tool is just elapsed working time. For a weekly total with an overtime split and gross pay, use the Time Card Calculator.
Further reading: How to Calculate Hours Worked