Work Hours Calculator
Calculate weekly work hours, overtime, and pay. Enter start/end times and breaks for each day.
Enter your start time, end time, and break for each working day to calculate total hours and pay.
How Work Hours Are Calculated
The maths behind work hours sounds simple — subtract start time from end time, then subtract breaks. But when you factor in overnight shifts, varying break lengths, and overtime thresholds across a full week, it gets complicated quickly.
This calculator handles all of that. For each day, it computes gross hours (total time between clock-in and clock-out), then subtracts your break duration to get net working hours. Overnight shifts are supported — if your end time is earlier than your start time, it assumes you're working past midnight.
Once all days are totalled, any hours above your standard weekly threshold (default 40) are counted as overtime. If you've set an hourly rate, both regular and overtime pay are calculated automatically, with overtime at your specified multiplier (default 1.5×).
Standard Working Hours by Country
| Country | Weekly Hours | Overtime Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 48 max (opt-out) | No legal minimum | Working Time Regulations 1998 |
| United States | 40 | 1.5× after 40h | Fair Labor Standards Act |
| European Union | 48 max | Varies by country | EU Working Time Directive |
| Germany | 48 max (avg 38) | 25-50% premium | Common in collective agreements |
| France | 35 | 25% first 8h, 50% after | Loi Aubry / Code du travail |
| Australia | 38 | 1.5× first 2h, 2× after | Fair Work Act 2009 |
| Japan | 40 | 1.25–1.5× | Higher rate for late night/holiday |
| UAE | 48 (8h/day, 6 days) | 1.25–1.5× | Reduced during Ramadan |
What this means for you: Set the "Standard Weekly Hours" field to match your country's norm. Any hours beyond this are calculated as overtime at your chosen multiplier.
Common Work Schedule Patterns
9-to-5 (Standard)
8 hours gross, 7.5 net with a 30-min break. Five days = 37.5 hours/week. The most common office schedule worldwide.
4×10 (Compressed)
10-hour days, 4 days a week, 3-day weekend. Same 40 hours but with one fewer commute and an extra recovery day.
Shift Work (Rotating)
12-hour shifts, rotating between days and nights. Common in healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency services. Add extra days as needed.
Freelance (Variable)
Hours vary daily. Track actual work time to calculate billable hours and ensure you're meeting your income targets.
UK Break Entitlements
| Shift Length | Minimum Break | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 hours | No legal entitlement | Employer may still offer breaks |
| 6+ hours | 20 minutes (uninterrupted) | Must be during the shift, not at start/end |
| Young workers (under 18) | 30 minutes after 4.5 hours | Enhanced protection for under-18s |
These are legal minimums under the Working Time Regulations 1998. Many employers offer longer breaks. Breaks are usually unpaid unless your contract states otherwise — that's why this calculator separates gross and net hours.
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How to use this tool
Enter start time, end time, and break for each working day
Set your hourly rate and standard weekly hours for overtime calculation
Click Calculate Hours & Pay to see the full breakdown
Common uses
- Tracking weekly hours for freelance and hourly workers
- Calculating overtime pay against standard work week thresholds
- Verifying timesheets before payroll submission
- Planning shift schedules and estimating weekly earnings
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