Hours Calculator — Calculate Work Hours Instantly
Enter your start time, end time, and break duration to calculate total hours worked and decimal hours for payroll. Add up to 4 shifts for a full day total. No signup, runs entirely in your browser.
How the Work Hours Calculator Works
- 1Use a quick-fill preset (8am–5pm, 9am–5pm, etc.) or pick your own start and end times using the time inputs.
- 2Enter your break duration in minutes — this is subtracted from the gross shift time to give net hours worked.
- 3Click + Add another shift for split shifts or multi-period days. Each shift shows its individual duration alongside the running total.
- 4Read the total hours in hh:mm format and as decimal hours for direct use in payroll or invoice calculations.
Hours to Decimal Conversion
Payroll software and invoicing platforms almost always use decimal hours. Minutes convert to decimals by dividing by 60: 15 min = 0.25, 30 min = 0.50, 45 min = 0.75. So 8h 45m = 8.75 decimal hours. Multiply by your hourly rate to get earnings directly. The calculator shows both formats simultaneously so you never need to convert manually.
Tips for Accurate Timesheet Tracking
Log times immediately
The most common timesheet error is reconstructing hours from memory at the end of the week. Note start, end, and break times at the time they happen — even a note on your phone is enough.
Separate paid and unpaid breaks
Only subtract unpaid breaks from your total. Short paid breaks (like a 10-minute coffee break) should not be entered in the break field — only unpaid lunch periods or similar.
Use decimal hours for invoices
When billing a client, use the decimal hours figure directly. 6h 20m on an invoice is awkward; 6.33 hours × your rate gives an exact total that payroll or accounting software can process.
Track split shifts separately
If you work two periods in a day (e.g. 8am–12pm and 2pm–6pm), use the "+ Add another shift" button to record each period separately. The tool sums them correctly rather than counting the gap as worked time.
Round to the nearest quarter-hour if required
Some employers round time to the nearest 15 minutes. 7h 22m rounds to 7h 30m (7.50 decimal hours). Check your employment contract — rounding rules vary by jurisdiction and employer policy.
Weekly totals in 5 clicks
For a standard 5-day week, add 5 identical shifts using the same start/end/break times. The calculator sums them in real time — no spreadsheet needed for a quick weekly total.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate hours worked between two times?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract any unpaid break. For example, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute break = 8.5 hours − 0.5 hours = 8 hours worked. The calculator does this automatically — just pick your times and enter the break duration.
What are decimal hours and why do they matter?
Decimal hours express time as a fraction of an hour. 7h 30m = 7.50 decimal hours; 7h 45m = 7.75 decimal hours. Payroll systems and invoices typically use decimal hours because they can be multiplied directly by an hourly rate. For example, 7.75 hours × $25/hr = $193.75.
Can the calculator handle overnight shifts?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator automatically assumes the shift crossed midnight. For example, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is calculated as 8 hours.
How do I calculate hours across multiple shifts in a day?
Click "+ Add another shift" to add a second or third row. Enter each shift's start, end, and break separately. The total at the bottom sums all shifts combined.
How is the weekly total calculated?
Add the same shift multiple times — one row per day — and the total updates automatically. For a standard 5-day week of 9am–5pm with a 30-minute break, you would add 5 identical rows to get 37.5 hours.
Does this calculator store my work times or send data anywhere?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your times are never sent to any server and are cleared when you close or refresh the page.
What does the break field do?
The break field subtracts unpaid break time from the gross shift duration. If you worked 9am–5pm and took a 45-minute unpaid lunch, enter 45 in the break field. The result will show 7h 15m instead of 8h.