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UK Working Hours With Break Calculator

Some workplaces pay a short rest break but not the lunch break. This calculator keeps the two apart so you can see the hours you are actually paid for.

It is a good check before you sign a timesheet or query a payslip.

UK Working Hours With Break Calculator

Results update as you type. Nothing you enter is stored.

Results

Hours worked
8 hours 0 minutes
Decimal hours
8.00 hours
Total minutes worked
480 minutes
Time between start and finish
9 hours 0 minutes
Unpaid break deducted
60 minutes
Paid break included
15 minutes

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the times you started and finished.
  2. Put your unpaid lunch or meal break in the unpaid field.
  3. Put any employer-paid rest break in the paid field.
  4. Paid hours is the figure that should appear on your timesheet.

How the calculation works

  • Time on site is the full span between start and finish.
  • Only the unpaid break is deducted to give paid hours.
  • Paid breaks are shown separately so you can see hands-on working time as well.

Example calculation

Inputs

  • 09:00 to 18:00
  • 60 minutes unpaid
  • 15 minutes paid

Result

  • Paid hours 8 hours 0 minutes (8.00)
  • Hands-on time 7 hours 45 minutes
  • Time on site 9 hours

Things to keep in mind

  • Whether a break is paid is a contractual matter, not an automatic right.
  • If your employer rounds clock-in times, your payroll figure may differ slightly.
  • These results are for general guidance. See our disclaimer — this is not legal, tax or financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is a lunch break paid in the UK?

There is no general legal requirement to pay rest breaks. Many employers pay short breaks and not the main meal break — check your contract.

Do paid breaks count towards my working hours?

For pay purposes yes, because you are paid for that time even though you are not working.

What if I worked through my break?

Enter 0 unpaid break to see the full paid figure, and raise the missed break with your manager — breaks are a health and safety matter.

Related calculators

UK Hours Worked Calculator Turn a daily start, finish and break into daily, weekly and monthly hours worked. UK Rest Break Calculator See the rest break guidance that applies to a shift length and worker age. UK Shift Hours Calculator Calculate gross shift length, total breaks and net paid time, including overnight shifts. UK Working Hours Calculator Work out total hours, minutes and decimal hours from a start time, finish time and break.