How to calculate hours worked
For each day, subtract the start time from the end time and then subtract unpaid breaks. For example, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM is 8 hours 30 minutes; minus a 30-minute lunch, that is 8 hours. Add the days together for your weekly total. This time card calculator does it for you, including shifts that cross midnight (for example 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM).
Converting minutes to decimal hours
Payroll systems usually use decimal hours. Divide minutes by 60: 15 minutes = 0.25 hours, 30 minutes = 0.5, 45 minutes = 0.75. So 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours. Multiply decimal hours by your hourly rate to get gross pay.
| Minutes | Decimal | Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0.08 | 35 | 0.58 |
| 10 | 0.17 | 40 | 0.67 |
| 15 | 0.25 | 45 | 0.75 |
| 20 | 0.33 | 50 | 0.83 |
| 25 | 0.42 | 55 | 0.92 |
| 30 | 0.50 | 60 | 1.00 |
Overtime rules in the U.S. and Canada
- United States (FLSA): non-exempt employees must receive at least 1.5× their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states add daily overtime — California, for example, requires overtime after 8 hours in a day and double time after 12.
- Canada: overtime is set by each province. Federally regulated workplaces and Ontario use 1.5× after 44 hours per week (Ontario) or 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week (federal); British Columbia and Alberta also have daily overtime after 8 hours.
Change the overtime threshold above to match your province or state. To see take-home pay after taxes, enter your gross pay in our paycheck calculator.
Are breaks paid?
In the U.S., short breaks of 5–20 minutes are generally paid under federal law, while meal breaks of 30 minutes or more can be unpaid if you are fully relieved of duty. Canadian provinces typically require an unpaid 30-minute meal break after 5 hours of work. Enter only unpaid breaks in the Break column.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is 9 to 5?
How do I calculate overtime pay?
What is 7 hours and 45 minutes in decimal?
Can this calculator handle night shifts?
Sources & methodology
This calculator was last reviewed on November 1, 2026. Figures are based on the following official and primary sources:
- U.S. Department of Labor – Overtime under the FLSA
- Government of Canada – Hours of work and overtime (federal)
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