How to use the time card calculator
- For each day, enter your start and end time. Leave days you didn’t work blank.
- Enter unpaid break minutes (for example a 30-minute lunch).
- Add your hourly rate and overtime rules to see gross pay before taxes.
- Totals appear in both hours-and-minutes (38h 30m) and decimal hours (38.50), which most payroll systems use.
Converting minutes to decimal hours
Payroll uses decimal hours: divide minutes by 60. 15 minutes = 0.25 h, 30 minutes = 0.50 h, 45 minutes = 0.75 h, 20 minutes = 0.33 h. So 7 hours 45 minutes is 7.75 hours. Getting this wrong (writing 7.45) is one of the most common timesheet mistakes.
Overtime rules in the US
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states go further — California, for example, also requires overtime for hours over 8 in a single day and double time over 12. Tick the daily option to apply the over-8-hours rule. Always check your state’s labor department rules or your employment contract.
Overnight shifts
If the end time is earlier than the start time (for example 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM), the calculator assumes the shift ends the next morning and counts it correctly.
Turn hours into take-home pay
The gross pay shown is before taxes. To estimate what lands in your bank account, use the paycheck calculator. If your timesheet uses 24-hour time, the military time converter helps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked?
Subtract the start time from the end time, then subtract unpaid breaks. Divide minutes by 60 to get decimal hours.
How do I convert 30 minutes to decimal?
30 ÷ 60 = 0.5 hours. 15 minutes is 0.25 and 45 minutes is 0.75.
When does overtime start?
Under US federal law, after 40 hours in a workweek. Some states, like California, also count over 8 hours in a day.
Does it handle night shifts?
Yes. If the end time is before the start time, the shift is treated as ending the next day.