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Work Hours Calculator
Estimate paid hours, regular hours, and overtime from a shift.
Inputs
Adjust the assumptions to match your scenario. Results update instantly.
Results
Primary outputs and comparison insights are built from the current inputs.
Paid hours
8
Total paid shift hours after subtracting the unpaid break.
Regular hours
8
Paid hours counted up to the eight-hour regular threshold.
Overtime hours
0
Paid hours above the eight-hour regular threshold.
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How this Work Hours Calculator works
The Work Hours Calculator helps hourly workers and managers estimate paid hours, regular time, and overtime from a single shift. Enter start hour, end hour, and unpaid break to estimate paid hours, regular hours, and overtime hours. The calculator updates instantly and adds a comparison table plus chart so you can test the sensitivity of the result before you use it in a decision.
Quick guide
Jump to the section you need, then return to the work hours calculator.
Inputs
- Shift start time in 24-hour decimal format such as 9 or 13.5.
- Shift end time in 24-hour decimal format such as 17.5 for 5:30 PM.
- Unpaid break minutes that should be removed from the shift length.
Outputs
- Total paid shift hours after subtracting the unpaid break.
- Paid hours counted up to the eight-hour regular threshold.
- Paid hours above the eight-hour regular threshold.
Assumptions
- Time is entered in 24-hour decimal format and the shift uses one unpaid break entry.
- Overtime is modeled after eight paid hours in a shift for quick planning.
Tips
- Convert minutes into decimal time carefully so the shift total stays accurate.
- If your overtime rule is weekly rather than daily, use this as a shift estimate first and then total the week.
Work Hours Calculator formula guide
Use these work hours calculator formulas to audit the output or explain it to someone else.
2 formulas
Work Hours Calculator examples
Review a ready-made work hours calculator scenario, copy it, then tweak inputs to match your case.
Example
Long retail shift
Inputs
- Example input Start hour: 10
- Example input End hour: 20
- Example input Unpaid break: 45
Outputs
- Example result Paid hours: 9.25
- Example result Regular hours: 8
- Example result Overtime hours: 1.25
A work-hours estimate is more useful when you separate paid time from overtime instead of looking at the raw shift length only.
Paid hours by shift end time
| End hour | Paid hours | Overtime hours |
|---|---|---|
| 15.5 | 6 | 0 |
| 17.5 | 8 | 0 |
| 19.5 | 10 | 2 |
| 21.5 | 12 | 4 |
End time usually drives the biggest difference in a shift total, so compare a standard day with a longer day before you use the estimate.
Shift-length sensitivity
Focus point
15.5
6
Position
#1 of 4
Original order
Share of total
16.67%
Total: 36
End time usually drives the biggest difference in a shift total, so compare a standard day with a longer day before you use the estimate.
References
- Shift planning with paid hours and overtime checks
- Timecard math for decimal work-hour calculations
Learn more
Guides connected to the work hours calculator
Use these short guides when you want the decision framework behind the numbers, not just the raw output.
Category guide
Everyday Utility Calculator Guide
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FAQ
Work Hours Calculator FAQ
What does the Work Hours Calculator do?
The Work Hours Calculator helps hourly workers and managers estimate paid hours, regular time, and overtime from a single shift. Enter start hour, end hour, and unpaid break to estimate paid hours, regular hours, and overtime hours. The calculator updates instantly and adds a comparison table plus chart so you can test the sensitivity of the result before you use it in a decision. It is part of our other toolkit.
What inputs do I need?
Typical inputs include Shift start time in 24-hour decimal format such as 9 or 13.5., Shift end time in 24-hour decimal format such as 17.5 for 5:30 PM., Unpaid break minutes that should be removed from the shift length..
How are the results calculated?
We follow the formulas and assumptions outlined in the "How this calculator works" section. You will see outputs like Total paid shift hours after subtracting the unpaid break., Paid hours counted up to the eight-hour regular threshold., Paid hours above the eight-hour regular threshold..
Can I share or download the results?
Use the Copy link or Print buttons to share your results. If a table or chart appears, you can download the data as CSV.
Is my data stored?
No. Calculations run in your browser and we do not store your inputs.
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