How are the total hours calculated?

For each day, the calculator finds the difference between the end time and start time, then subtracts the break duration. The daily totals are summed up to get the weekly total. This total is then converted to a decimal format (e.g., 8 hours and 30 minutes becomes 8.5 hours) for easy pay calculation.

What if my shift goes past midnight?

This calculator automatically handles overnight shifts. If the end time is earlier than the start time (e.g., starts at 10:00 PM and ends at 6:00 AM), it assumes the shift crossed midnight and calculates the duration correctly.

Is the break time automatically deducted?

Yes. The time you enter in the 'Break (mins)' field is deducted from that day's total work hours. If you take an unpaid break, enter its duration here. If your breaks are paid, you can leave this field blank or enter '0'.

Time Card Calculator with Breaks

How Does This Work?

This calculator simplifies tracking work hours and pay by automating the calculations for you.

Daily Hour Calculation: For each day, the calculator determines the total minutes between the start and end times. It automatically handles overnight shifts (where the end time is earlier than the start time).
Break Deduction: The duration you enter for breaks (in minutes) is then subtracted from the daily total to find the net work hours.
Weekly Total: All daily totals are summed to provide a weekly total, displayed in both HH:MM format (e.g., 42:30) and decimal format (e.g., 42.5), which is used for payroll.
Gross Pay: If you enter an hourly rate, the calculator multiplies it by the total decimal hours to estimate your gross pay. It also calculates overtime (hours worked beyond 40) at a standard 1.5x rate.

The Surprising History of the Time Clock

The need to accurately track employee work hours is as old as the factory itself. Before the late 19th century, this was a manual, often inaccurate process. The solution came from a jeweler named Willard Le Grand Bundy in Auburn, New York.

In 1888, Bundy invented and patented the first mechanical time clock. Each employee was given a unique key, which they would insert into the clock upon arrival and departure. The clock would then print the time onto a paper tape. This invention was revolutionary because it removed disputes and provided a fair, indisputable record of hours worked. Bundy's company eventually merged with others to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, which was later renamed... International Business Machines (IBM). That's right—the tech giant IBM has its roots in the humble time clock!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I enter PM times?

This calculator uses a 24-hour clock format (sometimes called military time) for simplicity and accuracy. For example, enter '13:00' for 1:00 PM, '17:30' for 5:30 PM, and so on.

What if I take multiple short breaks?

Simply add up the total minutes of all your *unpaid* breaks for the day and enter the sum into the "Break (mins)" field. For example, if you take two 15-minute unpaid breaks, enter '30'.

Does the overtime calculation consider my specific local laws?

No. The overtime calculation is based on a standard 40-hour workweek with a 1.5x pay rate for any hours worked over 40. It does not account for specific local or national labor laws, which can vary. This calculation is for estimation purposes only.

Time Card Calculator

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