Hours Calculator
Work out hours between two times, minus a break — with pay if you add a rate.
How to use the Hours Calculator
- Enter the start and end time (an overnight shift is handled).
- Enter any unpaid break in minutes.
- Read the hours worked; add an hourly rate to see the pay.
Hours = (end − start) − break
About the Hours Calculator
This calculator works out how many hours fall between a start and an end time, then subtracts any unpaid break, using hours = (end - start) - break. Enter the two times and the break in minutes to get the worked hours, and add an optional hourly rate to see the pay for that shift alongside it.
It handles overnight shifts automatically. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the tool assumes the shift crossed midnight and rolls the end into the next day, so a 22:00 to 06:00 shift correctly counts as eight hours rather than a negative span. The unpaid break is then taken off the total, which is how most timesheets treat meal and rest periods.
This is designed for everyday timesheet and shift maths, not for certified or statutory payroll, which can involve overtime multipliers, rounding rules, and jurisdiction-specific requirements the tool does not apply. Treat the pay figure as a straightforward rate-times-hours estimate. To convert an hourly rate into a yearly figure, use the Hourly to Salary Calculator, or count days between dates with the Date Difference Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How are the hours calculated?
The tool subtracts the start time from the end time to get the elapsed span, then takes off the unpaid break in minutes. The result is the net worked hours. For example, 09:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute break is eight hours.
Does it handle overnight shifts?
Yes. If the end time is before the start time, the calculator assumes the shift crosses midnight and rolls the end into the next day. So 22:00 to 06:00 counts as eight hours, not a negative amount.
How is pay worked out?
If you enter an hourly rate, the tool multiplies it by the net worked hours to show the pay for the shift. It is a simple rate-times-hours figure and does not add overtime premiums or other adjustments.
Is the break paid or unpaid?
The break minutes you enter are treated as unpaid and subtracted from the total, which is how most timesheets handle meal and rest periods. If your break is paid, leave the break field at zero.
Can I use this for official payroll?
It is intended for everyday timesheets and quick estimates, not certified payroll. It does not apply overtime multipliers, rounding rules or local labour regulations, so check your employer or jurisdiction rules for exact statutory pay.