Calq.

Work Hours Calculator

Calculate total work hours from start and end times, including breaks.

Work Periods

Breaks

Summary

Net Work Hours
Total Duration:
Total Break Time:
Decimal Hours:

Introduction

Calq.’s Work Hours Calculator helps employees, freelancers, managers, and HR teams quickly total hours worked for a shift or an entire day. It adds up time between start and end times, subtracts unpaid breaks, and supports multiple work periods in the same day. Results are shown in both HH:MM (hours:minutes) and decimal hours for easy timesheets, payroll, and billing. This page uses the 24-hour clock (HH:MM). Results can span across midnight.

How it works

  1. Choose your setup:
    • Single shift: one start time, one end time, plus break duration.
    • Multiple work periods: add each clock-in/clock-out pair separately; include per-period breaks if you took them while on the clock.
  2. Enter start and end times in 24-hour format (for example, 08:30, 13:45, 22:10).
  3. Enter break duration as minutes (for example, 30) or HH:MM (for example, 00:30).
  4. Add more periods as needed for split shifts, training sessions, or off-site work.
  5. Review the results: total work hours (HH:MM), total work hours (decimal), and total break duration.

Inputs explained

  • Start time (HH:MM)
    The time you began working. Example entries: 07:00, 09:15, 23:00.
  • End time (HH:MM)
    The time you stopped working. If you finish after midnight, simply enter the next day’s time (for example, start 22:00, end 06:30). The calculator treats an end time earlier than the start time as crossing midnight.
  • Break duration (minutes or HH:MM)
    Unpaid time away from work within a period, such as meal or rest breaks. Enter 45 or 00:45 for a 45-minute break. If you model your day with multiple work periods, do not also add the between-period gap as a break for those periods, or you will double-count it.
  • Multiple work periods
    Use when your day is split (for example, 09:00-12:30 and 13:15-18:00). Each period can have its own unpaid break taken during that period.

Results and interpretation

  • Total work hours (HH:MM)
    The sum of all paid time worked after breaks, expressed in hours and minutes. This is the number many timesheets ask for.

  • Total work hours (decimal)
    The same paid time expressed as a decimal. Convert minutes to a fraction of an hour:
    decimal hours = hours + minutes/60.

    Examples:

    • 7:30 = 7.5 hours
    • 1:15 = 1.25 hours

    Decimal hours are convenient for payroll and billing calculations (for example, hourly rate × decimal hours).

  • Total break duration
    All unpaid time in the day. This includes breaks you entered inside periods and any off-the-clock gaps between periods. It is different from total duration.

  • Total duration (context)
    The span from your first start to your final end time, regardless of gaps.
    Total duration = final end − first start (accounting for midnight)
    Total duration = total work hours + total break duration

Method and assumptions

  • For each work period:

    • Period duration = time from start to end.
    • If end is earlier than start, the calculator treats it as spanning midnight to the next day.
    • Paid time for the period = period duration − break duration for that period.

  • For the day:

    • Total work minutes = sum of paid time across all periods.
    • Total break minutes = (final end − first start, adjusted for midnight) − total work minutes.
    • HH:MM = floor(total work minutes/60) : remainder minutes.
    • Decimal hours = total work minutes ÷ 60.

  • Assumptions:

    • Times do not overlap.
    • Breaks entered are unpaid.
    • Decimal hours may be rounded to two decimal places. If your organization uses specific rounding rules (for example, to the nearest 5, 6, or 15 minutes), select that option if available or apply it to the inputs.

HR and employment context

  • Working time usually means time you are required to be at work and performing duties.
  • Breaks may be paid or unpaid depending on company policy and local law.
  • Overtime, minimum break lengths, night work rules, and rounding policies vary by region and employer.
  • Travel, training, and on-call time can be paid or unpaid depending on circumstances and policy.
  • This calculator provides general guidance and does not constitute legal or HR advice. Always follow your employer’s official timekeeping system and local regulations.

Tips and strategies

  • Use the 24-hour format consistently to avoid AM/PM mistakes.
  • Enter breaks as they happen. For a split day, model separate periods instead of one long shift.
  • Avoid double-counting breaks: the gap between two periods is already off the clock.
  • If your payroll rounds to set increments, align your entries with those rules.
  • For billing, use decimal hours to multiply by your hourly rate.
  • Keep notes for unusual days (travel, training, on-call) so you can classify time correctly later.
  • Watch out for daylight saving time changes; a workday may be 23 or 25 hours when clocks change.

Example calculations

Example 1: Single shift with a lunch break

  • Start: 08:30
  • End: 17:15
  • Break: 00:45
  • Period duration: 8:45
  • Total work hours (HH:MM): 8:00
  • Total work hours (decimal): 8.00
  • Total break duration: 0:45
  • Total duration: 8:45

Example 2: Split shift with a gap and a short coffee break

  • Period 1: 09:00-12:30 with 00:10 break

    • Paid time: 3:20

  • Period 2: 13:15-18:00 with 00:00 break

    • Paid time: 4:45

  • Total work hours (HH:MM): 3:20 + 4:45 = 8:05

  • Total work hours (decimal): 8 + 5/60 = 8.08

  • First start to final end: 09:00-18:00 = 9:00 total duration

  • Total break duration: 9:00 − 8:05 = 0:55

    • This 0:55 includes the 00:10 coffee break plus the 00:45 midday gap.

Example 3: Overnight shift crossing midnight

  • Start: 22:00
  • End: 06:30 (next day)
  • Break: 00:30
  • Period duration: 8:30
  • Total work hours (HH:MM): 8:00
  • Total work hours (decimal): 8.00
  • Total break duration: 0:30
  • Total duration: 8:30

Frequently asked questions

  1. What is the difference between total duration and total break duration?

    • Total duration is the entire span from your first start to your final end. Total break duration is all unpaid time within that span (entered breaks and gaps).
      Total work hours = total duration − total break duration

  2. How do I enter an overnight shift?

    • Enter start and end in 24-hour format. If the end time is earlier than the start time (for example, 22:00 to 06:30), the calculator treats it as crossing midnight.

  3. Should I enter paid breaks?

    • No. Only enter unpaid breaks. If your employer pays for certain breaks, do not subtract them.

  4. Can I add several breaks or split my day?

    • Yes. Add multiple work periods for split shifts. Include per-period breaks only for time off taken during a period. The time between periods is automatically treated as off the clock.

  5. Why do I see decimal hours?

    • Many timesheets and invoices use decimal hours for quick pay and cost calculations. Convert HH:MM to decimals using minutes/60.

Summary

Calq.’s Work Hours Calculator makes timekeeping simple: enter your start and end times, add any unpaid breaks, and include multiple periods if your day is split. You will see total work hours in HH:MM and decimal format, plus total break duration. Use the calculator above with your details to prepare accurate timesheets, plan schedules, and create clear invoices. This is general guidance and not legal or HR advice; confirm specific rules with your employer and local regulations.