Filling out a timesheet or checking a paycheck? This work hours calculator turns a clock-in and clock-out time into your paid hours — minus unpaid breaks — shown in both HH:MM and the decimal hours payroll systems actually use, with optional gross pay.
How hours worked are calculated
The calculator takes the difference between your end and start times, subtracts unpaid break minutes, and reports the result both ways. Worked example: clock in 8:45 am, out 5:30 pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch = 8:45 − 0:30 = 8 hours 15 minutes, or 8.25 decimal hours. At $22/hour, that's $181.50 gross.
Converting minutes to decimal hours
Payroll multiplies decimal hours by your rate, so minutes must become fractions: divide minutes by 60. The common anchors — 15 min = 0.25, 30 min = 0.5, 45 min = 0.75 — cover most timesheets; the calculator handles every value exactly, so 8:20 becomes 8.33 hours without rounding errors.
Overnight shifts and breaks
Night workers are covered: if the clock-out time is earlier than the clock-in, it's treated as the next day, so a 10 pm–6 am shift correctly totals 8 hours. Only unpaid breaks should be subtracted — short paid rest breaks (commonly under 20 minutes in the US) typically stay on the clock, while unpaid meal periods come off.
A note on overtime
In the US, non-exempt employees generally earn 1.5× their regular rate beyond 40 hours per week — sum your daily totals to see where you land. For durations between two calendar dates rather than shift times, use the time duration calculator, or the date calculator for day counts.