How it works
The calculator subtracts the start time from the end time and takes off the unpaid break. If the end time is earlier than the start, the shift ran past midnight and is counted that way. The answer is shown in hours and minutes and as decimal hours, which is what most payroll and invoicing uses.
Hours worked = end time − start time − break
Minutes to decimal hours
| Minutes | Decimal | Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0.00 | 30 | 0.50 |
| 5 | 0.08 | 35 | 0.58 |
| 10 | 0.17 | 40 | 0.67 |
| 15 | 0.25 | 45 | 0.75 |
| 20 | 0.33 | 50 | 0.83 |
| 25 | 0.42 | 55 | 0.92 |
Worked example
9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch is 8 hours 30 minutes on the clock, minus 30 minutes = 8 hours (8.00). Five days a week is 40 hours. A night shift from 10:00 PM to 6:15 AM with a 45-minute break = 7.5 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is 9 to 5?
8 hours on the clock. With an unpaid 30-minute lunch it's 7.5 hours, and with a 1-hour lunch it's 7 hours.
How many hours is 8 AM to 4:30 PM?
8.5 hours, or 8 hours if you take a 30-minute unpaid lunch.
How do I write 7 hours 40 minutes as a decimal?
Divide 40 by 60 to get 0.67, so 7.67 hours.
Does it work for overnight shifts?
Yes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, it counts through midnight.