Understand the result
How to use the timesheet calculator
Use this calculator to total several shifts before submitting a timesheet or checking payroll. Blank rows are ignored, breaks are handled per shift, and overnight work is supported.
Formula
Each shift is converted to minutes, its unpaid break is subtracted, and all completed shifts are added together.
Worked examples
Two standard shifts
Two shifts from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with 30-minute breaks total 16 paid hours.
Several shifts
Enter each start, end and unpaid break separately; the calculator adds only completed rows.
Decimal-hour result
A total of 17 hours 30 minutes is also shown as 17.50 decimal hours for payroll systems.
Timesheet rounding: the 7-minute rule
Many employers round clock-in and clock-out times to the nearest quarter hour. Under this practice, 1 to 7 minutes past a quarter hour round down and 8 to 14 minutes round up. US federal rules allow rounding only if it averages out so employees are fully paid for the time they work over time.
| Minutes past the quarter hour | Rounded to |
|---|---|
| 0 min | 0 min |
| 3 min | 0 min |
| 7 min | 0 min |
| 8 min | 15 min |
| 12 min | 15 min |
| 15 min | 15 min |
Example: clocking in at 8:07 AM rounds to 8:00, and clocking out at 4:38 PM rounds to 4:45. Enter your actual punch times here to see your real total, then compare it with the rounded hours on your pay stub.
Checking your paycheck against your timesheet
1. Total the week
Enter each shift with its unpaid break. Note the decimal total, which is what payroll uses.
2. Split regular and overtime
Hours over 40 in the workweek are usually overtime for hourly employees. 44.5 hours means 40 regular and 4.5 overtime.
3. Multiply by your rates
Use the overtime calculator with those two numbers and compare the gross pay with your stub.
Frequently asked questions
How are breaks handled?
Enter the unpaid minutes for each shift. Paid breaks should not be deducted.
Can shifts cross midnight?
Yes. An earlier end time is treated as the next day.
Why show decimal hours?
Many payroll and invoicing systems use decimal hours instead of hours and minutes.
Does this save my timesheet?
No. Calculations stay in the current browser page and are not stored as payroll records.
How do I calculate total hours worked in a week?
Subtract each start time from its end time, remove unpaid breaks, then add the shifts. Convert the total to decimal hours by dividing the minutes by 60.
What is the 7-minute rule?
A quarter-hour rounding practice: 1 to 7 minutes past a quarter hour round down and 8 to 14 minutes round up. It is allowed under federal rules only when it doesn't consistently underpay employees.
How do I write 37 hours 45 minutes on a timesheet?
37.75 decimal hours, because 45 minutes ÷ 60 = 0.75.
Assumptions and limitations
Results depend on the values entered and are educational estimates. Pay figures exclude taxes, deductions and benefits. Workplace rules, rounding practices and legal requirements vary by location and employer.