Calculate hours worked in three steps
- Subtract the start time from the end time. From 9:00 to 17:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes.
- Subtract unpaid breaks. With a 30-minute lunch, 8 hours remain.
- Multiply by the number of days. Five such days make a 40-hour week.
If your shift crosses midnight, say from 22:00 to 06:00, the calculator automatically continues into the next day: 8 hours minus a 30-minute break is 7.5 hours. Times use the 24-hour clock, so 5:30 pm is 17:30.
Converting hours and minutes to decimals
Time cards, invoices and payroll software usually need hours as a decimal number. 7 hours 30 minutes is 7.5, not 7.30. To convert, divide the minutes by 60.
| Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|
| 6 min | 0.10 |
| 15 min | 0.25 |
| 20 min | 0.33 |
| 30 min | 0.50 |
| 40 min | 0.67 |
| 45 min | 0.75 |
A common mistake is writing 7:45 as 7.45 hours. That loses 18 minutes a day, more than 6 hours over a 21-day month. At $25 an hour that is over $150 in pay.
Example: a working week
You work Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute unpaid lunch and earn $25 an hour.
- per day: 8:30 − 0:30 = 8:00 hours
- per week: 5 × 8 = 40 hours, decimal 40.00
- gross per week: 40 × $25 = $1,000
If some days have different hours, calculate them separately and add up the decimal hours.
Breaks and overtime rules
Rules depend on where you work:
- United States: federal law (the Fair Labor Standards Act) does not require meal breaks, but short breaks of 5 to 20 minutes must be paid when an employer offers them. Several states, including California and New York, do require meal breaks. Non-exempt employees must get 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
- United Kingdom: workers are entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute rest break when they work more than 6 hours a day. The Working Time Regulations limit the average week to 48 hours unless you opt out.
- Netherlands and the EU: the Dutch Working Hours Act requires at least 30 minutes of break after 5.5 hours and 45 minutes after 10 hours.
Check your contract or local labor office for the rules that apply to you.
Overtime pay
Calculate total hours first, then split them into regular and overtime hours. For example, 46 hours at $20 with time-and-a-half after 40: 40 × $20 = $800 plus 6 × $30 = $180, so $980 gross. Use the hourly wage calculator to convert a salary into an hourly rate, and the salary calculator to see your take-home pay.
Tips for an accurate time card
- Record start and end times right away, not from memory at the end of the week.
- Round consistently. Many employers round to the nearest 5 or 15 minutes; in the US rounding must not systematically favour the employer.
- Keep breaks, travel time and remote-work hours separate if different rules apply.
- Freelancers should track non-billable hours too, to see their real hourly rate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the whole hours. 7 hours 45 minutes is 7 + 45 ÷ 60 = 7.75 hours.
How do I calculate hours for a night shift?
Just enter the start and end time, for example 22:00 and 06:00. When the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator counts into the next day.
Is my lunch break counted as work time?
Usually not. A bona fide meal break of 30 minutes or more where you are fully relieved of duty is unpaid and is subtracted from your hours.
How many hours is full time?
In the US full time is commonly 40 hours a week; for the Affordable Care Act it is 30 hours or more. In the UK and the Netherlands full-time contracts are typically 36 to 40 hours.
What is 7.30 hours in hours and minutes?
7.30 decimal hours is 7 hours and 18 minutes (0.30 × 60). Do not confuse it with 7:30, which is 7.5 decimal hours.
Does the calculator handle more than one break?
Enter the total of all unpaid breaks in minutes, for example 30 + 15 = 45 minutes.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-06. Results are estimates for information only.