How to use this calculator
- 01
Pick single day or full week
Single day is for one shift. Full week shows seven rows (Monday through Sunday) and totals them, plus splits regular hours from overtime.
- 02
Enter clock-in and clock-out times
Use the time pickers in 24-hour format (or your browser will show AM/PM depending on your locale). Overnight shifts work automatically — a 10:00 PM in / 6:00 AM out returns 8 hours.
- 03
Add unpaid break minutes
Most lunches are unpaid. Enter the total break minutes that should be subtracted from the shift. Paid breaks (under 20 min for non-exempt workers, per FLSA) should be left at 0.
- 04
Optional: add an hourly rate
Enter a rate to see estimated gross pay. In weekly mode, overtime hours are calculated at 1.5× the rate automatically.
The math, in plain English
For each row, the calculator does:
- Shift minutes = (clock-out in minutes) − (clock-in in minutes). If negative, add 24 × 60 to handle overnight shifts.
- Worked minutes = shift minutes − unpaid break minutes.
- Decimal hours = worked minutes ÷ 60, rounded to two decimal places.
- Overtime (weekly mode) = total weekly minutes − (overtime threshold × 60). Anything over is paid at 1.5× the rate.
Common shift examples
Standard 9-to-5 with 30-minute lunch
9:00 AM in, 5:00 PM out, 30 minute lunch = 7 hours 30 minutes = 7.50 decimal hours.
Restaurant double shift
11:00 AM in, 3:00 PM out, then 5:00 PM in, 10:00 PM out — enter as two rows in weekly mode. Total = 9 hours.
Overnight nursing shift
7:00 PM in, 7:00 AM out, 30 minute unpaid meal = 11 hours 30 minutes = 11.50 decimal hours. The calculator recognizes the overnight wrap automatically.
Full week with overtime
Five 9-hour days = 45 total hours. At a $20 rate: 40 hrs × $20 = $800 regular pay; 5 hrs × $20 × 1.5 = $150 overtime pay; total gross = $950.
A note on state overtime rules
The default 40-hour weekly threshold is the federal FLSA rule. Some states are stricter:
- California: overtime after 8 hours in a single day; double time after 12 hours in a day or after 8 on the 7th consecutive day.
- Alaska, Nevada: overtime after 8 hours in a day for employees earning less than 1.5× minimum wage.
- Colorado: overtime after 12 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, whichever yields more pay.
This calculator handles federal weekly OT. For daily overtime, double-time, seventh-day-of-week rules, and meal-penalty premiums automatically, you’ll need a real time clock with a compliance engine — that’s what we build.
FAQ
How do I calculate hours worked from clock in and clock out times?
Subtract clock-in from clock-out, then subtract unpaid break minutes. Example: 8:00 AM in, 5:00 PM out, 30-min lunch = 8.5 hours. This calculator does it automatically.
What is 8:30 in decimal hours?
8 hours 30 minutes = 8.50 decimal hours. Divide minutes by 60 to convert (30 ÷ 60 = 0.50).
How does the calculator handle overnight shifts?
If clock-out is earlier than clock-in, we add 24 hours automatically. A 10:00 PM → 6:00 AM shift returns 8 hours.
Does this calculator include overtime?
Yes — switch to weekly mode. Hours over the threshold you set (default 40/week) pay at 1.5× the rate, per the federal FLSA rule.
Is this calculator free?
Yes — fully free, no signup. If you want to stop entering times by hand, ClockOut tracks every clock-in automatically. Free for up to 2 employees.
Can I save my entries?
Not in the calculator — it’s designed for quick, anonymous use. For ongoing tracking with per-employee records, use the ClockOut app.