MiniCalci

Calculators & Converters
Payroll & Work Hours

Work Hours Calculator

Calculate hours worked between a start time and end time, minus any unpaid break, in both decimal and hh:mm format.

If your shift crosses midnight (e.g. 22:00 to 06:00), the end time is treated as the next day automatically.

What Does This Work Hours Calculator Do?

This calculator finds the exact amount of time worked between a start time and an end time, after subtracting any unpaid break. It's useful for quickly checking a single shift's hours without doing the math by hand, and it correctly handles shifts that cross midnight.

The Formula

Hours Worked = (End Time - Start Time) - (Unpaid Break Minutes / 60)

Worked Example

Start at 9:00 AM, end at 5:00 PM, with a 30-minute unpaid break:

  • Elapsed time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 AM = 8 hours
  • Minus 30-minute break: 8 - 0.5 = 7.5 hours worked

Handling Overnight Shifts

Shift workers often work hours that cross midnight, such as 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Since the end time is numerically earlier than the start time, this calculator automatically adds 24 hours to the end time so the result comes out correctly (8 hours in this example) instead of a negative number.

Need to total a full week instead of a single shift? Use the time card calculator. For overtime pay, try the time and a half calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate hours worked between two times?
Subtract the start time from the end time to get total elapsed time, then subtract any unpaid break time. For example, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 8 hours; subtract a 30-minute break and you get 7.5 hours worked.
How does this calculator handle overnight shifts?
If the end time is earlier than the start time (for example, starting at 10:00 PM and ending at 6:00 AM), the calculator automatically treats the end time as being on the next day.
What's the difference between decimal hours and hh:mm?
Decimal hours express partial hours as a fraction (7.5 hours), which is what payroll systems use to calculate pay. hh:mm format (7:30) is more familiar for reading a clock. This calculator shows both.
How do I calculate pay from hours worked?
Once you know your total hours worked, multiply by your hourly rate. Use the time and a half calculator if any of the hours are overtime.
Does this calculator round to the nearest quarter hour?
No, this calculator computes exact elapsed time down to the minute. Some workplaces round time card entries to the nearest 15 minutes for payroll purposes — check your employer's specific policy.
Can I use this for a weekly time card instead of a single shift?
For multiple days in one week, use the dedicated time card calculator, which totals hours across an entire week.

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How this is calculated: This tool uses standard, well-established formulas for payroll & work hours calculations. Results are estimates for informational and planning purposes — always double-check figures for anything with real-world consequences (e.g. ordering materials or submitting grades).