How Many Hours Did I Work?

Enter your start and end time to calculate exactly how many hours and minutes you worked. Handles overnight shifts automatically.

You punched in, you punched out, and now you're wondering: how many hours did I actually work? Maybe your time clock printout was unclear, maybe you worked through a busy period and lost track, or maybe you just want to double-check your paycheck before it arrives. This tool gives you the answer in seconds.

Enter your start time and end time, and the calculator shows your total hours and minutes worked. It handles overnight shifts automatically — a shift from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM correctly calculates as 8 hours, not a negative number.

Why you might need this calculator:

- Your paper timesheet needs filling out and you're estimating hours - You want to verify your paycheck before direct deposit hits - You're a freelancer billing a client by the hour - You worked an unexpected overtime shift and want to know the damage - You're tracking hours for a visa, internship, or academic requirement - Your employer's payroll system rounds differently than you expected

How payroll rounding works

Many employers use a "rounding" policy for time records — rounding punches to the nearest 5, 6, 10, or 15 minutes. Under FLSA, this is legal if it's done neutrally over time (sometimes rounding up, sometimes rounding down, averaging out in the employee's favor). If your employer always rounds down, that may be a wage theft issue worth investigating.

How to use the How Many Hours Did I Work?

  1. Enter your start time: Type or pick the time you started (or will start) your shift. Both 12-hour (AM/PM) and 24-hour formats are accepted.
  2. Pick your shift length: Select your paid shift length — 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 hours, or any custom value. Half-hour options are available.
  3. Add your unpaid break: Choose any unpaid break that extends your time at work. Common options are 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
  4. Read your clock-out time: The result panel shows when you'll clock out, in both 12-hour and 24-hour formats. Overnight shifts display a +1 day badge.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I start at 8:30 AM and end at 4:45 PM, how many hours did I work?

You worked 8 hours and 15 minutes (8.25 hours). From 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM is 8 hours, plus 15 more minutes to 4:45 PM. Subtract any unpaid breaks for your paid hours.

How do I calculate hours that cross midnight?

Add 24 hours (1440 minutes) to your end time before subtracting. Or simply use this calculator — it detects overnight shifts automatically.

My employer rounds my hours — is that legal?

Yes, under FLSA, employers may round time to the nearest 5-15 minutes, as long as the rounding policy averages out neutrally over time. If rounding consistently reduces your pay, that may be illegal.

How do I convert hours and minutes to decimal hours for payroll?

Divide the minutes by 60 and add to hours. 8 hours 15 minutes = 8 + (15/60) = 8.25 hours. Multiply decimal hours by your hourly rate to get pay.

What's the best way to track my hours accurately?

Note your exact start and end times each day, including break times. Use a simple notebook, phone note, or spreadsheet. Keep records for at least 2 years in case of payroll disputes.

Sources & Disclaimer

Overtime thresholds reference the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA, 40 hrs/week at 1.5x) plus state daily overtime rules (e.g., California Labor Code §510: 8h/day OT, 12h/day double-time). State labor laws vary — check your state's labor department. This calculator is informational only and is not legal, tax, or payroll advice.