How the hours calculator works
It subtracts the start time from the end time and then takes off the break. If the end time is earlier than the start time, it assumes the shift ends the next day, so 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is 8 hours. For punches in 24-hour time, such as 2200 to 0600, see the military time converter.
You work from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM with a 30-minute unpaid meal break.
- Until midnight
- 12:00 − 10:30 = 1:30
- After midnight
- 7:00
- Unpaid break
- − 0:30
- Hours worked
- 8:00 (8.00 hours)
For a whole week of shifts with overtime and pay, use the time card calculator. For days with lunch punches, use the time card calculator with lunch, and to find what time to clock out, the clock out calculator. To keep hours on paper, print a free time card template.
Hours for common shifts
Hours and minutes first, decimal hours under them. The break columns take off an unpaid meal break; paid rest breaks stay in.
| Shift | No break | 30-min break | 1-hour break |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 | 7:007.00 |
| 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | 9:009.00 | 8:308.50 | 8:008.00 |
| 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | 8:308.50 | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 |
| 8:30 AM–5:00 PM | 8:308.50 | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 |
| 9:00 AM–5:30 PM | 8:308.50 | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 |
| 7:00 AM–3:30 PM | 8:308.50 | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 |
| 7:00 AM–3:00 PM | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 | 7:007.00 |
| 6:00 AM–2:30 PM | 8:308.50 | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 |
| 7:00 AM–7:00 PM | 12:0012.00 | 11:3011.50 | 11:0011.00 |
| 3:00–11:00 PM | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 | 7:007.00 |
| 11:00 PM–7:00 AM | 8:008.00 | 7:307.50 | 7:007.00 |
| 7:00 PM–7:00 AM | 12:0012.00 | 11:3011.50 | 11:0011.00 |
Converting to decimal hours
Payroll often needs decimal hours. Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours: 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours. The decimal hours chart lists every minute.
Questions
How many hours is 9 to 5?
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours, or 8.00 in decimal. With a 30-minute unpaid lunch it is 7:30, or 7.50 hours, and with a 1-hour lunch 7:00.
How many hours is 7 to 3:30?
7:00 AM to 3:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes, or 8.50 in decimal. Take off a 30-minute unpaid lunch and it is 8:00, a standard 8-hour day.
How many hours is 7 AM to 7 PM?
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM is 12 hours, or 12.00 in decimal. With a 30-minute unpaid meal break it is 11:30 of work, or 11.50 hours.
How do I count hours on a shift that ends after midnight?
Add the time before midnight to the time after it. From 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM is 2:00 plus 6:30, 8:30. The calculator does this whenever the end time is earlier than the start time.
Should I take my 15-minute breaks out?
No. Under federal rules, rest breaks of about 5 to 20 minutes count as hours worked. Take out only unpaid meal periods, usually 30 minutes or more with no duties. Source: 29 CFR 785.18.