Hours Calculator
Calculate the number of hours and minutes between two times. Subtract break time, get decimal hours for payroll, and calculate earnings based on hourly rate.
When work started
When work ended
Unpaid break time in minutes
For calculating earnings
How do you calculate hours between two times?
Subtract start time from end time. Same day: 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM = 3.5 hours (5.5 - 2.0). Overnight: 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM = 7 hours (add 12 to end time: 18 - 11 = 7). Convert minutes to decimal: 30 min = 0.5 hours, 15 min = 0.25 hours, 45 min = 0.75 hours. Formula: Total hours = (End time - Start time). If negative, add 24 hours. For payroll: Calculate each day separately, then sum. Break time: Subtract unpaid breaks from total. Overtime: Hours beyond 40/week (US) typically paid at 1.5× rate.
How do you convert decimal hours to hours and minutes?
Decimal hours: Multiply decimal part by 60. Example: 7.5 hours = 7 hours 30 min (0.5 × 60 = 30). 8.25 hours = 8 hours 15 min (0.25 × 60 = 15). 6.75 hours = 6 hours 45 min (0.75 × 60 = 45). To decimal: Divide minutes by 60. Example: 7h 30m = 7.5 (30 ÷ 60 = 0.5). 8h 45m = 8.75 (45 ÷ 60 = 0.75). 5h 20m = 5.33 (20 ÷ 60 = 0.333). Use decimal for calculations, convert back for time display. Payroll systems often use decimal (easier to multiply by hourly rate).
How do you calculate weekly hours for different shift patterns?
Regular schedule: Daily hours × days worked. Example: 8 hours × 5 days = 40 hours/week. Rotating shifts: Add each shift separately. Mon-Wed 8am-4pm (8h × 3 = 24h), Thu-Fri 12pm-8pm (8h × 2 = 16h) = 40h total. Variable hours: Track each day, sum weekly. Include: Regular hours, overtime (>40h/week or >8h/day depending on laws), double-time (>12h/day in some states). Exclude: Unpaid lunch breaks (typically 30-60 min), commute time (usually unpaid). Use time tracking software or manual logs. Verify calculations for payroll accuracy.
What are the rules for overtime and break time?
Overtime (US Federal - FLSA): Time-and-half after 40 hours/week for non-exempt employees. Example: 45 hours worked = 40 regular + 5 overtime. Some states: Daily overtime after 8 hours, double-time after 12 hours (California). Exempt employees (salaried): No overtime pay regardless of hours. Break rules: Federal law has no break requirement (state laws vary). Common: 15-min paid breaks (2 per 8-hour shift), 30-min unpaid lunch (for 6+ hour shifts). Calculate: 8.5 hours worked - 0.5 lunch = 8 billable hours. Always check local labor laws as requirements vary by state/country.
How do you track and calculate hours for payroll?
Methods: Time clock (punch in/out), timesheets (manual entry), software (automatic tracking), GPS (field workers). Round time: To nearest 15 minutes (common), quarter hour, or exact minutes. Example: 8:07 → 8:00, 8:08 → 8:15. Calculate daily: End time - start time - breaks. Example: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM - 1h break = 8 hours. Weekly total: Sum all days. Separate regular and overtime. Verify: Check for errors (missed punches, wrong times), get employee approval, keep records 3+ years (legal requirement). Common mistakes: Forgetting breaks, miscalculating overnight shifts, wrong overtime calculations.