How to use the timesheet calculator
- Enter start and end times for each day in 24-hour format (for example,
08:00and17:30). - Set the unpaid break duration in minutes for each day you worked.
- Leave both time fields blank for any day off.
- Adjust the overtime threshold if your regular work week differs from 40 hours.
- Review the weekly table below for daily decimal hours, total hours and overtime.
How the weekly timesheet is calculated
The timesheet calculator converts each day's start and end times into minutes since midnight, subtracts the start from the end, then deducts the unpaid break. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the shift is assumed to cross midnight and 24 hours (1440 minutes) are added.
For example, a shift from 07:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute break works out as follows. End minutes: 17 x 60 + 30 = 1050. Start minutes: 7 x 60 = 420. Gross duration: 1050 - 420 = 630 minutes. Net after break: 630 - 30 = 600 minutes. Decimal hours: 600 / 60 = 10.0 hours.
Daily totals are summed to produce the weekly figure. Overtime is simply the amount by which the weekly total exceeds your chosen threshold. Regular hours equal the threshold or the total, whichever is smaller.
Decimal hours reference
Payroll systems use decimal hours rather than hours and minutes. This table shows common minute values converted to their decimal equivalents for quick reference when reviewing your weekly timesheet.
| Minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|
| 15 | 0.25 |
| 30 | 0.50 |
| 45 | 0.75 |
| 60 | 1.00 |
| 90 | 1.50 |
To convert any number of minutes manually, divide by 60. For instance, 20 minutes is 20 / 60 = 0.333 hours. The tool rounds results to two decimal places to match standard payroll precision.
Copying your timesheet as CSV
After entering your schedule, click the Copy CSV button beneath the results. This copies a comma-separated table to your clipboard with columns for Day, Start, End, Break, and Hours. You can paste it directly into Excel, Google Sheets or any spreadsheet program.
The CSV uses decimal hours so that spreadsheet formulas can sum or multiply them by an hourly rate without further conversion. Days left blank in the form appear as empty rows, keeping the seven-day structure intact.
Handling overnight shifts
If you work a night shift that crosses midnight, enter the times normally. For example, a shift starting at 22:00 and ending at 06:00 the next morning is entered as start 22:00 and end 06:00. The calculator detects that the end time is numerically less than the start time and automatically adds 24 hours to the difference.
Gross duration: (6 x 60) - (22 x 60) + 1440 = 360 - 1320 + 1440 = 480 minutes. Subtract a 30-minute break to get 450 minutes, or 7.5 decimal hours. Each overnight shift must be contained within a single calendar day row on this weekly timesheet.
Overtime thresholds and rules
In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act generally requires overtime pay for non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a single work week. However, some employers define the work week differently, and certain states have daily overtime rules as well.
This timesheet calculator lets you set any weekly threshold you need. Change the overtime field to 37.5 if your contract defines a shorter regular week. The tool applies the threshold strictly to the weekly total; it does not calculate daily overtime, which would require a dedicated time card calculator.
Worked examples
| Example | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 40-hour week | Monday start: 08:00; Monday end: 17:00; Monday break (min): 60; Tuesday start: 08:00; Tuesday end: 17:00; Tuesday break (min): 60; Wednesday start: 08:00; Wednesday end: 17:00; Wednesday break (min): 60; Thursday start: 08:00; Thursday end: 17:00; Thursday break (min): 60; Friday start: 08:00; Friday end: 17:00; Friday break (min): 60; Saturday break (min): 0; Sunday break (min): 0; Overtime threshold (hours/week): 40 | Total hours: 40; Regular hours: 40; Overtime hours: 0 |
| Week with overtime | Monday start: 07:00; Monday end: 17:30; Monday break (min): 30; Tuesday start: 07:00; Tuesday end: 17:30; Tuesday break (min): 30; Wednesday start: 07:00; Wednesday end: 17:30; Wednesday break (min): 30; Thursday start: 07:00; Thursday end: 17:30; Thursday break (min): 30; Friday start: 07:00; Friday end: 17:30; Friday break (min): 30; Saturday break (min): 0; Sunday break (min): 0; Overtime threshold (hours/week): 40 | Total hours: 50; Regular hours: 40; Overtime hours: 10 |
| Part-time schedule | Monday start: 09:00; Monday end: 13:00; Monday break (min): 0; Tuesday break (min): 0; Wednesday start: 09:00; Wednesday end: 13:00; Wednesday break (min): 0; Thursday break (min): 0; Friday start: 09:00; Friday end: 13:00; Friday break (min): 0; Saturday break (min): 0; Sunday break (min): 0; Overtime threshold (hours/week): 40 | Total hours: 12; Regular hours: 12; Overtime hours: 0 |
FAQ
What time format should I use?
Enter times in 24-hour format using HH:MM, such as 08:00 or 17:30. If you need to convert from 12-hour time first, use a military time converter.
How do I record a day off?
Leave both the start and end time fields blank for that day. The calculator treats it as zero hours and includes it in the weekly timesheet table as an empty row.
Does the break field reduce my total hours?
Yes. The break value represents unpaid time deducted from each day's gross duration. Enter the total unpaid minutes per day, such as 30 for a half-hour lunch or 60 for a full hour.
Can I use this for biweekly pay periods?
This tool covers a single Monday through Sunday week. For a biweekly period, calculate each week separately and add the two totals together, or use a work hours calculator designed for longer spans.
Why are the results shown as decimals instead of hours and minutes?
Payroll software multiplies decimal hours directly by an hourly wage. Showing 8.5 hours instead of 8 hours 30 minutes avoids conversion errors when calculating pay.
Is my schedule data stored or sent anywhere?
No. All calculations happen inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded to a server, and no cookies are used to store your entries.