How this calculator works
Each line needs a start and an end time. You can write 12-hour times (8:30am, 5pm) or 24-hour times (17:30). A plain number after the times is the unpaid break in minutes. If the end time is earlier than the start, the shift is treated as running past midnight. Hours over the weekly limit are counted as overtime.
Shift minutes = End − Start (+24 h if overnight) − Break
Decimal hours = Minutes ÷ 60 (e.g. 8 h 15 m = 8.25 h)
Worked example
Using the default values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate (optional) | $0 |
| Overtime after | 40 h/week |
| Overtime rate | 1.5× |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Total hours | 41 hours |
| Hours:minutes | 41:00 |
| Regular hours | 40 h |
| Overtime hours | 1 h |
| Gross pay | $0 |
| Shifts counted | 5 |
Each shift:
- Mon: 8h 00m (8 h)
- Tue: 8h 15m (8.25 h)
- Wed: 7h 45m (7.75 h)
- Thu: 9h 00m (9 h)
- Fri: 8h 00m (8 h)
Step by step:
- For each line: end time − start time (add 24 h if the shift passes midnight)
- Subtract the break minutes
- Add all shifts and divide minutes by 60 for decimal hours
- Hours over 40 are overtime
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing 8.30 for 8 h 30 m — that is 8.5 decimal hours, not 8.3.
- Forgetting am/pm on 12-hour times; a shift written “8 - 5” is read as needing am/pm or 24-hour times.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide by 60: 15 minutes = 0.25 h, 30 = 0.5 h, 45 = 0.75 h.
Are lunch breaks paid?
Under federal rules, meal breaks of 30 minutes or more when you are fully relieved of duty are usually unpaid; short breaks of 5–20 minutes are paid.