Work Hours Calculator – Hours Worked with Breaks & Overtime

Calculate hours worked with break deduction and overtime in one place. This free hours worked calculator handles daily and weekly overtime, multiple shifts per day, and exports timesheets to CSV. Use it for payroll, time tracking, and billing—no signup. For simple time-between-two-times (no breaks or overtime), use our Hours Calculator.

💾 Bookmark this calculator for weekly payroll calculations and timesheet tracking.

Settings

Presets configure overtime rules. You can override values after selection.

Only applies when rounding is enabled.

Reveals raw hours, rounding, and OT logic path (read-only).

Daily Work Hours

Daily Results

Total Hours
7.50
Regular Hours
7.50
Note: This calculator uses browser time, which may not account for Daylight Saving Time transitions. For critical payroll calculations, verify times with your timekeeping system.

How to Calculate Hours Worked Accurately

Calculating work hours accurately is essential for payroll, time tracking, and compliance. Our work hours calculator makes this process simple and error-free. For basic time duration calculations, you can also use our hours calculator or time calculator. Here's how to use our work hours calculator effectively:

  1. Enter your start and end times: Use the 24-hour format or standard AM/PM format. The calculator automatically handles overnight shifts that cross midnight.
  2. Add break times: Enter all break durations (lunch, coffee breaks, etc.). The calculator subtracts break time from your total shift duration.
  3. Choose rounding rules: Select payroll-compliant rounding (5-minute, 6-minute, 15-minute, or 30-minute increments) or use exact time for precise calculations.
  4. Set overtime thresholds: Configure daily or weekly overtime thresholds based on your payroll rules. The calculator automatically separates regular hours from overtime hours.
  5. Review results: The calculator shows total hours, regular hours, overtime hours, and double overtime hours (if applicable).

For weekly tracking, switch to Weekly Timesheet mode to enter times for all 7 days. The calculator automatically calculates weekly totals and applies overtime rules correctly. Export your timesheet to CSV for easy payroll processing.

How Overtime Pay Is Calculated: Daily vs Weekly Overtime

Understanding the difference between daily and weekly overtime is crucial for accurate payroll calculation. Our work hours calculator supports both modes:

Daily Overtime

Daily overtime applies when you work more than a set number of hours in a single day. For example, if your daily threshold is 8 hours and you work 10 hours on Monday, you have 8 hours of regular time and 2 hours of overtime for that day. This mode is common in industries with strict daily hour limits.

Weekly Overtime

Weekly overtime applies when your total hours for the week exceed a threshold (typically 40 hours). For example, if you work 8 hours each day Monday through Friday (40 hours total), and then work 5 hours on Saturday, you have 40 hours of regular time and 5 hours of overtime for the week. This mode is standard in many jurisdictions.

Our calculator lets you choose between daily and weekly overtime modes. Select the mode that matches your payroll rules. The calculator correctly applies overtime rates (e.g., 1.5x for time-and-a-half) and handles double overtime thresholds when applicable.

How Payroll Rounding Works

Payroll rounding is a standard practice that rounds employee time to the nearest increment for payroll processing. This ensures fairness and compliance with labor laws. Our work hours calculator supports multiple rounding options:

  • 5-minute rounding: Rounds to the nearest 5 minutes (0.0833 hours). For example, 8:07 becomes 8:05, and 8:08 becomes 8:10.
  • 6-minute rounding (1/10 hour): Rounds to the nearest 6 minutes (0.1 hours). This is common in many payroll systems because 6 minutes equals exactly 0.1 hours.
  • 15-minute rounding: Rounds to the nearest 15 minutes (0.25 hours). For example, 8:07 becomes 8:00, and 8:08 becomes 8:15.
  • 30-minute rounding: Rounds to the nearest 30 minutes (0.5 hours). This is less common but used in some industries.

Important: Rounding is applied after breaks are deducted and before overtime is calculated. This ensures accurate payroll compliance. The calculator shows both raw hours (before rounding) and rounded hours (after rounding) when rounding is enabled, so you can see exactly how rounding affects your calculation.

For example, if you work 8 hours and 7 minutes (8.117 hours) with 5-minute rounding, the calculator rounds to 8.083 hours (8 hours and 5 minutes). This rounded time is then used for overtime calculations.

Is This Calculator Accurate for Payroll?

Yes, our work hours calculator is designed to be payroll-accurate and follows standard payroll calculation practices:

  • Precise time calculations: Handles overnight shifts, break time deduction, and minute-level accuracy.
  • Payroll-compliant rounding: Supports standard rounding increments (5-minute, 6-minute, 15-minute, 30-minute) used in payroll systems.
  • Correct overtime calculation: Properly separates regular hours from overtime hours based on daily or weekly thresholds.
  • Double overtime support: Handles double overtime thresholds and rates correctly.
  • Break time validation: Prevents errors by validating that break time doesn't exceed shift duration.

However, please note:

  • This calculator uses browser time, which may not account for Daylight Saving Time transitions.
  • For critical payroll, verify calculations with your timekeeping system or payroll provider.
  • Labor laws vary by jurisdiction—ensure your overtime thresholds and rates comply with local regulations.

Our calculator is suitable for employee time tracking, freelancer billing, and preliminary payroll calculations. For final payroll processing, always verify with your payroll system or HR department.

Free Work Hours Calculator (No Signup Required)

Our work hours calculator is completely free to use with no registration, no signup, and no hidden fees. Here's what you get:

  • Unlimited calculations: Calculate work hours as many times as you need, for as many weeks as you need.
  • Full feature access: All features are free, including weekly timesheet mode, overtime calculation, CSV export, and clock in/out functionality.
  • Privacy-first: All calculations happen in your browser. We don't store your data, track your usage, or require any personal information.
  • No ads or limitations: Use the calculator without interruptions or feature restrictions.
  • Export capabilities: Download your timesheets as CSV files for payroll processing, completely free.

Whether you're an employee tracking hours for payroll, a freelancer billing clients, or an HR manager processing timesheets, our free work hours calculator provides professional-grade accuracy without any cost or commitment.

Why This Work Hours Calculator Is Better Than CalculatorSoup

While CalculatorSoup offers a solid work hours calculator, our tool provides several advantages for real-world payroll and time tracking:

✓ Weekly Timesheet Mode

Enter all 7 days at once with inline editing. CalculatorSoup requires separate calculations for each day.

✓ Multiple Shifts Per Day

Track split shifts, morning and afternoon segments, all in one day. CalculatorSoup handles single shifts only.

✓ Clock In/Out Functionality

One-click time tracking with automatic duration calculation. No manual time entry needed.

✓ CSV Export with Pay Columns

Export complete timesheets with week range, decimal hours, HH:MM format, and pay breakdown. CalculatorSoup doesn't offer export.

✓ Daily vs Weekly Overtime Modes

Choose between daily overtime (per day) or weekly overtime (per week) to match your payroll rules.

✓ LocalStorage Persistence

Your timesheet data and settings are saved automatically. No need to re-enter data when you return.

Both calculators are free and accurate, but our work hours calculator is designed specifically for weekly payroll processing and timesheet management. For simple single-day calculations, either tool works well.

Payroll Compliance Checklist for Work Hour Calculations

This work hours calculator is designed to be payroll-accurate, but compliance with labor laws requires understanding your jurisdiction's specific requirements. Use this checklist to ensure your calculations meet legal standards:

✓ Break Deduction Validation

What this calculator does: Automatically deducts break time from total hours worked. Validates that break time doesn't exceed shift duration.

What you must verify: Your jurisdiction's rules on paid vs unpaid breaks. Some states require meal breaks after certain hours. The calculator doesn't distinguish between paid and unpaid breaks—you must configure this based on your payroll rules.

✓ Daily vs Weekly Overtime Laws

What this calculator does: Supports both daily overtime (e.g., hours over 8 per day) and weekly overtime (e.g., hours over 40 per week) modes.

What you must verify: Your state's overtime laws. California requires daily overtime after 8 hours, while federal law (FLSA) uses weekly overtime after 40 hours. Some states have both daily and weekly requirements. The calculator lets you choose the mode, but you must select the correct one for your jurisdiction.

✓ Double Overtime Thresholds

What this calculator does: Calculates double overtime hours when total hours exceed a second threshold (e.g., 12 hours per day or 60 hours per week).

What you must verify: Whether your jurisdiction requires double overtime. California requires double time after 12 hours in a day or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day. Not all states have double overtime requirements.

✓ Payroll Rounding Compliance (5, 6, 15, 30 min)

What this calculator does: Supports standard payroll rounding increments (5-minute, 6-minute, 15-minute, 30-minute) and applies rounding after breaks, before overtime calculation.

What you must verify: Your company's rounding policy and state laws. The FLSA allows rounding if it's neutral (rounds up and down equally over time). The calculator rounds to the nearest increment, which is generally compliant, but always verify with your HR department.

✓ Overnight Shift Handling

What this calculator does: Automatically detects and correctly calculates overnight shifts (e.g., 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM = 8 hours).

What you must verify: Your payroll system's definition of a "day" for overnight shifts. Some systems count overnight shifts as part of the day they start, others count them as part of the day they end. The calculator uses the start day.

⚠ Daylight Saving Time (DST) Limitations

What this calculator does: Uses browser time, which may not account for DST transitions accurately.

What you must verify: For shifts that cross DST boundaries (spring forward or fall back), manually verify calculations. The calculator may show incorrect durations during DST transitions. Always verify with your timekeeping system for critical payroll periods.

✓ Jurisdictional Differences (US States, EU, etc.)

What this calculator does: Provides flexible configuration for overtime thresholds, rates, and rounding rules.

What you must verify: Your specific jurisdiction's labor laws. US states vary (California has daily OT, Texas uses weekly OT). EU countries have different rules (e.g., maximum weekly hours, mandatory rest periods). The calculator is a tool—you must configure it to match your legal requirements.

⚠ Important Disclaimer

This tool is payroll-accurate and follows standard calculation practices, but it is not a substitute for a certified payroll system or legal compliance review. Always verify calculations with your HR department, payroll provider, or legal counsel, especially for:

  • Multi-state employees or remote workers
  • Union contracts with specific overtime rules
  • Exempt vs non-exempt employee classifications
  • Complex shift differentials or premium pay
  • Audit or legal compliance requirements

Real-World Work Hour Examples (With Overtime)

These examples demonstrate how our work hours calculator handles common real-world scenarios. Use these to verify your calculations or understand how overtime and break deductions work in practice.

1. Overnight Hospital Shift (12-Hour Night Shift)

Inputs:

  • Start: 7:00 PM
  • End: 7:00 AM (next day)
  • Break: 30 minutes
  • Mode: Daily, Daily OT threshold: 8h

Expected Output:

  • Total: 11.5 hours
  • Regular: 8.0 hours
  • Overtime: 3.5 hours
  • Double OT: 0 hours

Explanation: The calculator correctly handles the overnight shift (crosses midnight). After deducting the 30-minute break, total hours are 11.5. With an 8-hour daily threshold, 8 hours are regular time and 3.5 hours are overtime.

2. Construction 12-Hour Double Overtime Day

Inputs:

  • Start: 6:00 AM
  • End: 6:00 PM
  • Break: 1 hour (lunch)
  • Mode: Daily, Daily OT: 8h, Double OT: 12h

Expected Output:

  • Total: 11.0 hours
  • Regular: 8.0 hours
  • Overtime: 3.0 hours
  • Double OT: 0 hours (needs 12h+ for double)

Explanation: 12 hours worked minus 1 hour break = 11 hours total. With an 8-hour threshold, 8 hours are regular and 3 hours are overtime. Double overtime would apply if total hours exceeded 12 (after breaks).

3. Retail Weekly Overtime (40+ Hours)

Inputs:

  • Mon-Fri: 8h each (40h total)
  • Saturday: 5h
  • Break: 30 min per day
  • Mode: Weekly, Weekly OT threshold: 40h

Expected Output:

  • Total: 42.5 hours
  • Regular: 40.0 hours
  • Overtime: 2.5 hours
  • Double OT: 0 hours

Explanation: In weekly overtime mode, the calculator sums all hours for the week (42.5h after breaks). Hours over 40 are overtime, so 40 hours are regular and 2.5 hours are overtime.

4. Freelancer Billing Example (No Overtime)

Inputs:

  • Start: 9:00 AM
  • End: 3:30 PM
  • Break: 0 minutes (freelancer)
  • Hourly Rate: $50

Expected Output:

  • Total: 6.5 hours
  • Regular: 6.5 hours
  • Overtime: 0 hours
  • Total Pay: $325.00

Explanation: Freelancers typically bill for all hours worked without overtime. 6.5 hours × $50/hour = $325 total pay.

5. Zero-Break Validation (Error Case)

Inputs:

  • Start: 9:00 AM
  • End: 5:00 PM
  • Break: 9 hours (invalid)

Expected Output:

  • Error: "Break time exceeds shift duration"
  • Calculation blocked

Explanation: The calculator validates that break time cannot exceed total shift duration. This prevents impossible calculations and ensures data integrity.

6. DST Crossover Disclaimer Example

Inputs:

  • Start: 11:00 PM (Daylight Time)
  • End: 7:00 AM (Standard Time, DST ends)
  • Break: 30 minutes

Expected Output:

  • Calculator shows: ~8 hours
  • ⚠ Warning: Verify with timekeeping system
  • Actual may be 7h or 9h due to DST

Explanation: During Daylight Saving Time transitions, browser time may not accurately reflect the actual hour change. Always verify DST-period calculations with your timekeeping system. The calculator shows a disclaimer for this limitation.

7. Multiple Shifts in One Day (Split Shift)

Inputs:

  • Shift 1: 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM (30 min break)
  • Shift 2: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (30 min break)
  • Mode: Daily, Daily OT: 8h

Expected Output:

  • Total: 7.0 hours (3.5h + 3.5h)
  • Regular: 7.0 hours
  • Overtime: 0 hours

Explanation: The calculator sums all shifts for the day. Both shifts total 7 hours (after breaks), which is under the 8-hour threshold, so all hours are regular time.

8. Weekend-Only Worker (Part-Time)

Inputs:

  • Saturday: 8 hours
  • Sunday: 8 hours
  • Mon-Fri: Disabled
  • Mode: Weekly, Weekly OT: 40h

Expected Output:

  • Total: 16.0 hours
  • Regular: 16.0 hours
  • Overtime: 0 hours

Explanation: Part-time workers can disable weekdays and only track weekend hours. With 16 hours total (under 40), all hours are regular time.

9. Night Shift with 15-Minute Rounding

Inputs:

  • Start: 11:00 PM
  • End: 7:17 AM
  • Break: 30 minutes
  • Rounding: 15-minute increments

Expected Output:

  • Raw: 7.78 hours (7h 47min)
  • Rounded: 7.75 hours (7h 45min)
  • Regular: 7.75 hours

Explanation: The calculator rounds 7.78 hours (7h 47min) to the nearest 15-minute increment: 7.75 hours (7h 45min). Rounding is applied after break deduction, before overtime calculation.

10. Part-Time Weekly Threshold (Just Under 40h)

Inputs:

  • Mon-Thu: 9.5h each (38h)
  • Friday: 1.5h
  • Break: 30 min per day
  • Mode: Weekly, Weekly OT: 40h

Expected Output:

  • Total: 39.5 hours
  • Regular: 39.5 hours
  • Overtime: 0 hours

Explanation: With 39.5 total hours (just under the 40-hour threshold), all hours are regular time. Overtime would begin at exactly 40.01 hours in weekly mode.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate hours worked with breaks?

Enter your start time, end time, and break duration. The calculator automatically subtracts break time from your total hours worked. For example, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a 30-minute lunch = 7.5 hours worked. Use Daily Entry for single days or Weekly Timesheet for a full week with overtime.

How does overtime calculation work?

You can choose between daily overtime (e.g., hours over 8 per day) or weekly overtime (e.g., hours over 40 per week). The calculator shows both regular hours and overtime hours separately. You can also set overtime rate multipliers (e.g., 1.5x for time-and-a-half).

Can I track multiple days for a weekly timesheet?

Yes! Switch to Weekly Timesheet mode to enter times for all 7 days of the week. The calculator shows weekly totals including total hours, regular hours, and overtime hours. You can export your weekly timesheet to CSV for payroll processing.

How do I export my timesheet to CSV?

In Weekly Timesheet mode, click 'Export CSV' to download a timesheet file. The CSV includes date, start time, end time, break minutes, total hours, regular hours, and overtime hours for each day, plus weekly totals.

What's the difference between work hours calculator and hours calculator?

An hours calculator (or hours worked calculator) gives you total time between two times or dates—no break deduction or overtime. Our Work Hours Calculator adds break time deduction, daily/weekly overtime, payroll rounding, and CSV export. Use the Hours Calculator for quick duration; use the Work Hours Calculator for payroll and timesheets.

Is the work hours calculator free?

Yes! Our work hours calculator is 100% free with no registration required, no usage limits, and no hidden fees. You can calculate work hours, track weekly totals, and export timesheets as many times as you need.

Can I calculate work hours for overnight shifts?

Yes! The calculator handles overnight shifts automatically. If your end time is earlier than your start time (e.g., 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM), the calculator correctly calculates the hours across midnight.

How accurate is the overtime calculation?

The overtime calculation is precise and uses your configured threshold. For example, if you set 8 hours as the daily threshold and work 9.5 hours, the calculator shows 8 hours regular time and 1.5 hours overtime. The overtime rate multiplier is for reference and can be used for payroll calculations.

What is daily vs weekly overtime?

Daily overtime applies when you work more than a set number of hours in a single day (e.g., over 8 hours). Weekly overtime applies when your total hours for the week exceed a threshold (e.g., over 40 hours). Choose the mode that matches your payroll rules.

How does payroll rounding work?

Payroll rounding rounds time to the nearest increment (5 minutes, 6 minutes, 15 minutes, or 30 minutes). This ensures compliance with labor laws. Rounding is applied after breaks are deducted, before overtime is calculated.