How the hours calculator works
For each day, the calculator subtracts the start time from the end time and then subtracts unpaid break minutes. It adds the days into a weekly total and converts minutes to decimal hours for payroll.
Decimal hours = total minutes ÷ 60
Overtime = hours over 40 in the workweek
Gross pay = regular hours × rate + overtime hours × rate × 1.5
The overtime option follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires at least 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees. Some states, such as California, also count daily overtime, which this calculator does not model. Leave a day blank to skip it.
Worked example
Working 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Friday with a 30-minute unpaid lunch is 8.5 hours a day, or 42.5 hours a week. At $20 an hour with overtime, 40 regular hours pay $800 and 2.5 overtime hours pay $20 × 1.5 × 2.5 = $75, so gross pay is $875.00.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked?
For each day, subtract the start time from the end time, subtract unpaid breaks, then add the days together.
How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours. 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours.
When is overtime required?
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must get at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states add daily overtime rules.
Are breaks paid?
Under federal rules, short breaks of about 5 to 20 minutes count as paid work time, while bona fide meal periods of usually 30 minutes or more can be unpaid.
Updated October 2026. Results are estimates for education, not financial or medical advice. All math runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere.