How the working hours calculator works
This tool helps with two everyday payroll questions:
- Time between — enter a start time, end time, and break length to get the hours worked.
- Pay from hours — enter the hours and an hourly rate to get the gross pay.
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift is treated as an overnight shift (the end time is on the next day).
Example
You work from 09:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute break. Worked minutes = (17:30 − 09:00) − 30 = 510 − 30 = 480 minutes = 8.0 hours.
You worked 8 hours at $25 per hour. Gross pay = 8 × 25 = $200.
Notes and assumptions
- Times are entered in 24-hour format (HH:MM).
- A night shift that crosses midnight is handled automatically by adding 24 hours to the end time.
- Break time is subtracted from the total span between start and end.
- The gross pay calculation uses a single hourly rate and does not include overtime, taxes, or deductions.
- Hours worked are shown as a decimal (for example 8.5 hours), which makes payroll and billing calculations straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked across midnight?
Enter the actual clock-in and clock-out times. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift ended the next day.
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60. 30 minutes is 0.5 hours, 15 minutes is 0.25 hours.
Does this calculate overtime pay?
No. This tool gives gross pay at a single hourly rate. Multiply overtime hours by 1.5 or 2.0 and add them separately.
What format should I use for times?
Use 24-hour time, for example 09:00 for 9 AM and 17:30 for 5:30 PM.