Date & Time · Time
Formula verified
Hours Calculator
Enter a start time, an end time and any unpaid break, and this works out exactly how many hours and minutes that shift covers — overnight shifts included.
Shift
Net hours worked
8.00
8h 0m
Regular (≤ 8h)
8.00
Overtime
0.00
Step-by-step proofCheck by hand
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How the shift length is worked out
Subtract the clock-in time from the clock-out time to get the raw shift length, then subtract any unpaid break. If the clock-out time is earlier than the clock-in time — a night shift running past midnight — 24 hours is added back before subtracting, so the shift length comes out positive and correct instead of negative.
The formula
net hours = (clock out − clock in − break) ÷ 60
Worked example
Clocking in at 9:00 AM and out at 5:30 PM, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch: 8.5 hours raw, minus 0.5 hours for the break, is exactly 8.00 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How does this handle a night shift that crosses midnight?
If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift ran past midnight into the next day and adds 24 hours' worth of minutes back before subtracting — so a 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM shift correctly comes out to 8 hours, not a negative number.
Why does the result show both decimal hours and hours/minutes?
Payroll systems generally want decimal hours (7.5), while it's easier for a person to read and double-check 7 hours and 30 minutes. Showing both means you can use whichever your timesheet or pay stub expects.
Is the overtime line based on a legal rule?
No — it's a plain informational split at 8 hours in a single shift, which is a common (not universal) daily overtime threshold. Actual overtime rules vary by jurisdiction, employer policy and whether overtime is calculated daily or weekly, so check your own employment agreement or local labor law for the figure that actually applies to you.
Sources and method
- Time arithmetic (24-hour clock, overnight shift handling) — general published mathematics.