Work Hours Calculator

Calculate paid work hours between two times, subtracting an unpaid break and handling an explicitly marked overnight shift.

Method checked 2026-09-15 · Methods & sources · Examples are estimates, not current offers or quotes.

Your inputs

Example values are editable assumptions. Enter your own numbers.

Choose Yes only when the shift ends the next day.

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Your estimate

Fill in the inputs and select Calculate. Results clear when you change an input so you can compare a fresh estimate.

How this calculator works

The calculator converts the entered HH:mm times to minutes, preserving exact minute differences rather than rounding to whole hours.

It subtracts the entered unpaid break minutes from the elapsed shift time.

If an end time is earlier than the start time, choose Yes for overnight so the tool adds one day; equal start and end times are rejected as ambiguous.

A 09:00 to 17:30 shift with a 30-minute unpaid break produces 8.00 paid hours.

Worked example

Enter 09:00, 17:30, and a 30-minute unpaid break to calculate 8.00 paid hours.

Common questions

Why must I choose overnight?

The same clock times can describe a same-day or next-day shift. The choice makes the calculation explicit.

Does every break reduce paid hours?

Not necessarily. This tool simply subtracts the unpaid break you enter; pay treatment depends on the facts and applicable rules.