Whether you are paid by the hour, earn overtime or simply want to check your schedule, knowing exactly how many hours you worked is essential. Small errors, such as forgetting a break or mis-adding minutes, can add up to a lot of money over a month. This guide shows how to calculate hours worked step by step, with our free Working Hours Calculator.
Daily hours
Hours worked = end time − start time − unpaid breaks
Example: 9:15 am to 6:00 pm with a 45-minute lunch.
- 9:15 to 18:00 = 8 h 45 min
- Minus 45 min break = 8 h 00 min
Night shifts
If you start at 10:00 pm and finish at 6:30 am, add 24 hours to the end time: 30:30 − 22:00 = 8 h 30 min, minus breaks.
Weekly total
| Day | Start | End | Break | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 9:00 | 18:00 | 60 min | 8.00 |
| Tue | 9:00 | 18:30 | 60 min | 8.50 |
| Wed | 9:00 | 18:00 | 45 min | 8.25 |
| Thu | 9:00 | 19:00 | 60 min | 9.00 |
| Fri | 9:00 | 13:00 | 0 min | 4.00 |
| Sat | 10:00 | 16:00 | 30 min | 5.50 |
| Total | 43.25 |
Convert to decimal hours
Payroll uses decimal hours: 15 min = 0.25, 30 min = 0.5, 45 min = 0.75. Never write 8 h 30 min as 8.30. See decimal hours for a full chart.
Regular vs overtime hours
If your normal week is 40 hours, the 43.25 hours above include 3.25 overtime hours. Overtime may be paid at a higher rate depending on your contract and the law that applies.
Calculating pay
Pay = regular hours × rate + overtime hours × rate × multiplier
At Rs 400 an hour with 1.5× overtime: 40 × 400 + 3.25 × 600 = Rs 16,000 + Rs 1,950 = Rs 17,950 for the week.
Keep accurate records
Write down start and end times daily, not at the end of the week. Note breaks honestly. A record protects both you and your employer. For adding odd times, the Time Calculator helps, and the Hourly ↔ Monthly Salary calculator turns weekly totals into monthly pay.
Read working hours and overtime rules for the legal background.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract unpaid breaks.
How do I calculate hours for a night shift?
Add 24 hours to the end time before subtracting.
How do I write 7 hours 45 minutes in decimal?
7.75 hours.