How to Calculate Work Hours and Deduct Break Time

Start with elapsed shift time

Subtract the start time from the end time. If a shift crosses midnight, treat the end time as occurring on the following day.

Subtract unpaid breaks

If a break is not counted as paid work, subtract the break duration from total elapsed time. For example, an 8-hour elapsed shift with a 30-minute unpaid break produces 7 hours 30 minutes of worked time.

Convert minutes to decimal hours

Payroll and timesheet systems often use decimal hours. Divide minutes by 60. Thirty minutes is 0.5 hours, 15 minutes is 0.25 hours, and 45 minutes is 0.75 hours.

Check employer rules

Rounding, overtime, paid breaks and local labor rules vary. A simple calculator measures time but does not determine legal payroll obligations.

Use the Work Hours Calculator for a quick shift estimate.