Time Card Calculator

About the Time Card Calculator

The Time Card Calculator computes total weekly work hours from daily clock-in and clock-out times, including break deductions and overtime calculations. Instead of manually adding up each day's hours, enter your start time, end time, and break for each day, and get the weekly total in one view.

Overtime is calculated using the standard US federal rule: hours beyond 40 per week are overtime. The calculator separates regular hours (up to 40) from overtime hours, making payroll processing straightforward.

This calculator is essential for hourly employees tracking their work week, managers verifying timesheets, freelancers billing clients, and payroll departments processing weekly or biweekly pay periods. It supports any combination of shift lengths and rest days.

When This Page Helps

Adding up a week's worth of daily work hours with varying start times, end times, and breaks is time-consuming by hand. This calculator totals everything, separates regular from overtime hours, and outputs decimal hours ready for payroll processing.

How to Use the Inputs

1. For each workday, enter the clock-in hour and minute.
2. Enter the clock-out hour and minute for each day.
3. Enter break time in minutes for each day.
4. Leave days off as zero.
5. View total regular hours, overtime hours, and weekly total.
6. Use the decimal output for payroll calculations.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• The standard US overtime threshold is 40 hours per week (FLSA).
• Some states have daily overtime rules (e.g., California: over 8 hours/day).
• Double-time may apply after 12 hours/day or 60 hours/week in some jurisdictions.
• Salaried exempt employees are generally not eligible for overtime.
• Keep accurate records—federal law requires employers to track hours for non-exempt workers.
• For biweekly payroll, enter two weeks separately and sum the results.

US Overtime Law Basics

The FLSA requires employers to pay non-exempt employees overtime at 1.5× their regular rate for hours beyond 40 per workweek. A workweek is any fixed, recurring 168-hour period (7 consecutive 24-hour periods). Employers cannot average hours across multiple weeks unless using an approved alternative schedule.

State-Level Variations

California, Alaska, Nevada, and Colorado have daily overtime rules requiring premium pay for hours beyond 8 per day. Some states require double-time after 12 hours per day. Always check your specific state's labor laws in addition to federal requirements.

Accurate Recordkeeping

The FLSA requires employers to keep accurate records of hours worked for all non-exempt employees. Electronic time clocks, timesheets, and time-tracking apps are all acceptable methods. Disputes over unpaid overtime are among the most common wage-and-hour claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the overtime threshold?

  Under the US Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime begins after 40 hours in a workweek. Hours beyond 40 must be paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. Some states have lower thresholds or daily overtime rules.

• How are daily hours calculated?

  Each day's net hours equal the clock-out time minus the clock-in time minus break time. If clock-out is earlier than clock-in (overnight shift), 24 hours are added automatically. The net hours are expressed in decimal format.

• Can I enter overnight shifts?

  Yes. If your shift ends after midnight (e.g., start 22:00, end 06:00), the calculator detects that the end time is before the start time and adds 24 hours. The break time is then subtracted from this gross duration.

• How do I handle unpaid vs. paid breaks?

  Only enter unpaid breaks (typically lunch). Paid breaks (short rest periods) should not be subtracted from work time. Check your company policy on which breaks are paid.

• What about holiday pay or PTO?

  This calculator computes hours actually worked. Holiday pay, PTO, and sick time are typically added separately by payroll systems. Some companies count PTO hours toward the 40-hour overtime threshold; others do not.

• How do I verify my employer's timesheet?

  Enter your actual clock-in and clock-out times plus breaks for each day. Compare your calculated totals to your employer's records. Any discrepancies should be reported to your HR or payroll department promptly.