Updated: September 30, 2026

Payroll Hours Calculator

Calculate total working hours and paid hours using employee clock-in time, clock-out time, and unpaid break duration.

Total Elapsed Time 0h 0m
Paid Working Time 0h 0m
Decimal Hours 0.00
This calculator provides an informational estimate. Employers should follow applicable payroll, break, timekeeping, rounding, overtime, and employment requirements.

How the Payroll Hours Calculator Works

Enter the employee's starting time, ending time, and unpaid break duration.

The calculator first determines elapsed time and then subtracts the unpaid break.

Example

Suppose an employee:

  • Clocks in at 9:00 AM
  • Clocks out at 5:30 PM
  • Takes a 30-minute unpaid break

Elapsed time:

8 hours 30 minutes

After the 30-minute unpaid break:

8 paid hours

Decimal Hours

Payroll systems often use decimal hours rather than hours and minutes.

Examples:

  • 8 hours 0 minutes = 8.00
  • 8 hours 15 minutes = 8.25
  • 8 hours 30 minutes = 8.50
  • 8 hours 45 minutes = 8.75

Overnight Shifts

This calculator supports a basic overnight shift.

For example, a shift beginning at 10:00 PM and ending at 6:00 AM will be treated as crossing midnight.

Calculate Overtime Pay

After calculating hours, you can use our Overtime Pay Calculator to estimate regular and overtime earnings.

Related HR & Scheduling Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?

Divide the number of minutes by 60. For example, 30 minutes equals 0.50 hours and 15 minutes equals 0.25 hours.

Does this calculator determine overtime automatically?

No. Overtime eligibility and thresholds depend on applicable rules and employee circumstances. Use the hours result as an input for appropriate payroll calculations.

Does the calculator support overnight shifts?

Yes. If the ending time is earlier than the starting time, the calculator treats the shift as crossing midnight.