How to use the hours calculator
- Enter a start time and an end time for the shift (for example 8:45 AM and 5:15 PM).
- Type your unpaid break in minutes – a 30-minute lunch is 30. Leave it empty for paid breaks.
- Need more than one block of time in a day, or several days? Click Add another shift. Totals update instantly.
- Optionally enter your hourly rate to see the gross pay for the hours worked.
How hours worked are calculated
The math is simple but easy to get wrong in your head because clocks use base 60. The calculator converts both times into minutes after midnight, subtracts the start from the end, and then removes the break:
Hours worked = (end time − start time) − unpaid break
Example: 8:45 AM to 5:15 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes. Subtract a 30-minute unpaid lunch and you worked 8:00 hours, which is 8.00 in decimal. If you worked 7:50 AM to 4:05 PM with a 45-minute lunch, the shift is 8:15 long, minus 0:45 gives 7:30 – or 7.50 decimal hours.
Hours & minutes vs decimal hours
Most payroll systems want decimal hours: 7 hours 30 minutes is 7.5 hours, not 7.30. To convert, divide the minutes by 60 (30 ÷ 60 = 0.5). The calculator always shows both formats so you can copy the right one onto a timesheet. For a full conversion chart see minutes to decimal.
Overnight and night shifts
Nurses, security staff, warehouse and hospitality workers often clock out after midnight. When the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator automatically adds 24 hours – so 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM with a 30-minute break is 8:00 hours. For a full week with overtime, use the time card calculator.
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 is 8.5 hours; with a 30-minute unpaid lunch you worked 8 hours.
How many hours is 9 to 5?
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours. With a 30-minute unpaid lunch it is 7.5 hours, and with a one-hour lunch it is 7 hours.
How many hours is 7 to 3:30?
7:00 AM to 3:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes (8.5 hours). After a 30-minute unpaid lunch it is exactly 8 hours.
Does the calculator handle shifts past midnight?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift is treated as ending the next day, so 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM counts as 8 hours.
Is 8 hours 30 minutes 8.3 or 8.5 hours?
It is 8.5 hours. Minutes are converted to decimals by dividing by 60, so 30 minutes is 0.5 hours, 15 minutes is 0.25 and 45 minutes is 0.75.
Is my data stored anywhere?
No. All calculations happen in your browser. Your last entries are saved only in your own browser's local storage so they are still there when you come back.