Work Hours Calculator
Add daily start and end times, subtract breaks, and get your weekly hours, overtime, and pay. Free timesheet calculator, no sign-up.
Enter your start time, end time, and break for each working day to calculate total hours and pay.
Use the 24-hour clock (e.g. 09:00 to 17:30), enter breaks in minutes, and click Add Day for weekend or extra shifts. Overnight shifts that pass midnight are handled automatically.
Methodology and sources
Formula or method
For each day: gross hours = (end time minus start time in minutes) divided by 60. If end time is strictly earlier than start time, 24 hours are added to handle overnight shifts. Net hours = gross hours minus break duration (in hours). Equal start and end times produce 0 gross hours. Weekly overtime = total net hours minus standard weekly hours (default 40), floored at 0. Regular pay = regular hours multiplied by hourly rate. Overtime pay = overtime hours multiplied by hourly rate multiplied by the overtime multiplier (default 1.5). Total pay = regular pay plus overtime pay. All arithmetic is client-side; no data leaves the browser.
Basis and assumptions
- Overnight shifts are detected when the end time (HH:MM) is strictly earlier than the start time; a 24-hour day is never inferred from equal times.
- Break durations are entered in whole minutes and are subtracted from gross hours before any overtime calculation.
- Overtime threshold defaults to 40 hours per week; users can enter any figure to match their contract.
- Pay figures are estimates based on the hourly rate entered; tax, National Insurance, pension deductions, and statutory pay are not modelled.
- Currency symbols (GBP, USD, CAD, AUD) are cosmetic only; no live exchange rates are applied.
Key handling decisions
- UK default: GBP selected, 40-hour standard week, 1.5x overtime multiplier (time-and-a-half).
- For UK workers: the Working Time Regulations 1998 set a 48-hour average maximum (with opt-out option) and require a minimum 20-minute rest break for shifts over 6 hours, but do not mandate a minimum overtime premium rate.
- For US workers: the Fair Labor Standards Act requires 1.5x pay for hours beyond 40 per week for non-exempt employees.
- For Australian workers: the Fair Work Act 2009 sets the standard week at 38 hours; many modern awards require 1.5x for first 2 overtime hours and 2x thereafter.
- For Canadian workers: Employment Standards vary by province; federally regulated employees follow the Canada Labour Code (40-hour week, 1.5x after that).
What this tool does not decide
- Your actual net pay after tax, National Insurance, pension, or other deductions. Use a payroll provider or consult HMRC (UK), the IRS (US), the CRA (Canada), or the ATO (Australia).
- Whether you are entitled to overtime pay under your specific contract or jurisdiction. Consult your employer or an employment solicitor.
- Sleep-time or on-call hours: only clock-in to clock-out time with break deductions is modelled.
Sources
- Working Time Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1833), UK (legislation.gov.uk) last accessed 2026-06-11
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Overtime Pay, US Department of Labor (US Department of Labor) last accessed 2026-06-11
- Fair Work Act 2009, Maximum weekly hours and overtime, Fair Work Ombudsman (Fair Work Ombudsman (Australia)) last accessed 2026-06-11
- Canada Labour Code, Part III, Hours of Work, Employment and Social Development Canada (Government of Canada) last accessed 2026-06-11
Last checked: 2026-06-11
How Work Hours Are Calculated
The maths behind work hours sounds simple, subtract start time from end time, then subtract breaks. But when you factor in overnight shifts, varying break lengths, and overtime thresholds across a full week, it gets complicated quickly.
This calculator handles all of that. For each day, it computes gross hours (total time between clock-in and clock-out), then subtracts your break duration to get net working hours. Overnight shifts are supported, if your end time is earlier than your start time, it assumes you're working past midnight.
Once all days are totalled, any hours above your standard weekly threshold (default 40) are counted as overtime. If you've set an hourly rate, both regular and overtime pay are calculated automatically, with overtime at your specified multiplier (default 1.5×).
Standard Working Hours by Country
| Country | Weekly Hours | Overtime Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 48 max (opt-out) | No legal minimum | Working Time Regulations 1998 |
| United States | 40 | 1.5× after 40h | Fair Labor Standards Act |
| European Union | 48 max | Varies by country | EU Working Time Directive |
| Germany | 48 max (avg 38) | 25-50% premium | Common in collective agreements |
| France | 35 | 25% first 8h, 50% after | Loi Aubry / Code du travail |
| Australia | 38 | 1.5× first 2h, 2× after | Fair Work Act 2009 |
| Japan | 40 | 1.25 to 1.5× | Higher rate for late night/holiday |
| UAE | 48 (8h/day, 6 days) | 1.25 to 1.5× | Reduced during Ramadan |
What this means for you: Set the "Standard Weekly Hours" field to match your country's norm. Any hours beyond this are calculated as overtime at your chosen multiplier.
Common Work Schedule Patterns
9-to-5 (Standard)
8 hours gross, 7.5 net with a 30-min break. Five days = 37.5 hours/week. The most common office schedule worldwide.
4×10 (Compressed)
10-hour days, 4 days a week, 3-day weekend. Same 40 hours but with one fewer commute and an extra recovery day.
Shift Work (Rotating)
12-hour shifts, rotating between days and nights. Common in healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency services. Add extra days as needed.
Freelance (Variable)
Hours vary daily. Track actual work time to calculate billable hours and ensure you're meeting your income targets.
UK Break Entitlements
| Shift Length | Minimum Break | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 hours | No legal entitlement | Employer may still offer breaks |
| 6+ hours | 20 minutes (uninterrupted) | Must be during the shift, not at start/end |
| Young workers (under 18) | 30 minutes after 4.5 hours | Enhanced protection for under-18s |
These are legal minimums under the Working Time Regulations 1998. Many employers offer longer breaks. Breaks are usually unpaid unless your contract states otherwise, that's why this calculator separates gross and net hours.
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How to use this tool
Enter start time, end time, and break for each working day
Set your hourly rate and standard weekly hours for overtime calculation
Click Calculate Hours & Pay to see the full breakdown
Common uses
- Tracking weekly hours for freelance and hourly workers
- Calculating overtime pay against standard work week thresholds
- Verifying timesheets before payroll submission
- Planning shift schedules and estimating weekly earnings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How are work hours calculated?
Does it account for overtime?
Can I add weekends?
How is pay calculated?
Does it handle overnight shifts?
Can I remove a day I don't work?
What overtime multiplier should I use?
Can I calculate for part-time schedules?
Are breaks mandatory?
Can I save my schedule?
Does it account for public holidays?
Is my data sent anywhere?
Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.