Working Time Tools
UK Working Hours Calculator
Enter the time you started, the time you finished and how long your unpaid break was. The calculator shows how many hours you actually worked, the same figure in minutes, and the decimal hours value used on most UK timesheets and payroll systems.
Overnight shifts are handled automatically: if your finish time is earlier than your start time, the calculator treats it as a shift that runs past midnight.
UK Working Hours Calculator
Results update as you type. Nothing you enter is stored.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the time your shift started using the 24-hour or device time picker.
- Enter the time you finished. If you finished after midnight, just enter the time — the shift is detected as overnight.
- Enter your total unpaid break in minutes. Enter 0 if you had no unpaid break.
- Read the results, then use Copy or Print if you need the figures for a timesheet.
How the calculation works
- The finish time is converted to minutes past midnight and the start time is subtracted from it.
- If the result is zero or negative, 24 hours (1,440 minutes) are added so overnight shifts calculate correctly.
- Unpaid break minutes are then deducted to give net worked time.
- Decimal hours are the total worked minutes divided by 60, rounded to two decimal places — 90 minutes becomes 1.50.
Example calculation
Inputs
- Start: 09:00
- Finish: 17:30
- Unpaid break: 30 minutes
Result
- 8 hours 0 minutes worked
- 480 minutes
- 8.00 decimal hours
Things to keep in mind
- Whether a break is paid or unpaid depends on your contract — this tool deducts the break you enter.
- Rounding rules for timesheets vary between employers; check how your payroll rounds part-hours.
- These results are for general guidance. See our disclaimer — this is not legal, tax or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator handle night shifts?
Yes. If the finish time is earlier than the start time, the shift is treated as running past midnight, so 22:00 to 06:00 returns 8 hours before breaks.
How do I convert 8 hours 15 minutes to decimal?
Divide the minutes by 60 and add them to the hours: 15 ÷ 60 = 0.25, so 8 hours 15 minutes is 8.25 decimal hours. The calculator does this for you.
Should I deduct my lunch break?
If your lunch break is unpaid, enter it so it is deducted. If your employer pays your break, enter 0 so the full period is counted.