Shift Hours Calculator
Calculate total working hours, net paid time after unpaid breaks, and gross shift earnings. Supports both day shifts and cross-midnight overnight schedules with automated decimal hour conversion for accurate payroll and timesheet management.
Starting hour (e.g., 9 for 9:00 AM, 22 for 10:00 PM)
Starting minute of the shift (0, 15, 30, 45, etc.)
Ending hour (e.g., 17 for 5:00 PM, 6 for 6:00 AM next day)
Ending minute of the shift
Deducted break duration (typically 30 or 60 minutes)
Base hourly wage earned during this work shift
Total hours worked minus unpaid meal and rest breaks
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your shift start time in 24-hour clock format (hours and minutes).
- Enter your shift end time in 24-hour clock format.
- Enter the total duration of unpaid lunch or meal breaks taken in minutes.
- Enter your contracted base hourly wage.
- Review net paid hours in decimal format and gross shift earnings.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
Gross shift duration is computed by converting start and end punch times to minutes from midnight (adding 1,440 minutes for overnight shifts). Deducting unpaid meal break duration yields net compensable hours, which is multiplied by the hourly rate.
Worked Example
Day shift from 09:00 to 17:30 with 30-minute unpaid lunch break at $22.50/hr
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this calculator handle shifts that cross midnight into the next day?↓
Yes. If the end time is numerically earlier than the start time (e.g. 22:00 to 06:30), the algorithm automatically recognizes an overnight graveyard shift and adds 24 hours (1,440 minutes).
Under FLSA, are rest breaks required to be paid?↓
Under US federal FLSA regulations (29 CFR § 785.18), short rest breaks lasting 5 to 20 minutes are considered compensable working time and must be paid. Bona fide meal breaks (typically 30 minutes or more where the employee is relieved of all duties) are unpaid.
How does decimal hour conversion work for payroll timesheets?↓
Minutes are divided by 60: 15 minutes is 0.25 hours, 30 minutes is 0.50 hours, and 45 minutes is 0.75 hours. Decimal hours allow automated multiplication by hourly wage rates.
What limitation should I keep in mind when tracking shift hours?↓
This single-shift calculator computes gross shift pay before payroll taxes, overtime thresholds (e.g., California 8-hour daily overtime rules), and night-shift shift differential premiums.
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Open calculator →Source Citation & Disclaimer
Informational tool only; not licensed tax, legal, or financial advice.