QuietCalcsHow this time card calculator works
For each day, the calculator takes your clock-out time minus your clock-in time, then subtracts unpaid break minutes:
daily hours = (time out − time in) − breaks
Daily totals are added into a weekly total. If overtime is enabled, hours past your threshold (40 per week by default, the U.S. federal standard) are split out and paid at your overtime multiplier — usually time and a half. Overnight shifts are handled automatically: if your clock-out time is earlier than your clock-in time, the calculator assumes the shift crossed midnight.
Your entries are saved in your own browser (and only there), so accidentally closing the tab won't wipe your week. Use Reset to clear everything.
Minutes to decimal hours
Payroll systems usually want decimal hours, but clocks speak in minutes. The conversion is minutes ÷ 60:
| Minutes | Decimal hours |
|---|---|
| 15 min | 0.25 |
| 30 min | 0.50 |
| 45 min | 0.75 |
| 6 min | 0.10 |
| 1 min | 0.017 (≈0.02) |
So 38 hours and 45 minutes is 38.75 hours. The calculator shows both formats side by side, because time cards are usually written in h:mm while paychecks are computed in decimals.
Time card rounding: the "7-minute rule"
U.S. employers are allowed to round punch times to the nearest quarter hour, as long as rounding is applied neutrally and doesn't systematically shortchange employees (29 CFR 785.48). In practice: punches 1–7 minutes past the quarter hour round down, 8–14 minutes round up. If your employer rounds and you don't, small differences between this calculator and your pay stub are normal.
Breaks and what counts as paid time
Under U.S. federal law (the FLSA), short rest breaks of roughly 5–20 minutes count as paid working time — don't enter those as breaks here. Bona fide meal periods of 30 minutes or more, where you're fully relieved of duty, can be unpaid — those are the minutes that belong in the Break column. State rules vary (some states require meal breaks, some don't), so check your state's labor department if you're unsure.
Overtime basics
Federal law requires non-exempt employees to be paid at least 1.5× their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. A few states add daily overtime on top — most notably California (over 8 hours in a day). This calculator applies weekly overtime; if you need to work out the pay side in more detail, use the overtime pay calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does this work for overnight or night shifts?
Yes. If your time out is earlier than your time in (say, in at 10:00 PM and out at 6:00 AM), the calculator assumes the shift crossed midnight and counts 8 hours.
Is my time card data stored anywhere?
Only in your own browser's local storage, so your entries survive a page refresh. Nothing is sent to or stored on our servers, and clicking Reset erases it completely.
How do I calculate a biweekly time card?
Run the calculator once per week and add the two totals. If your employer pays biweekly, overtime is still usually computed per workweek (each week over 40 hours triggers it), not over the 80-hour pay period.
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours for payroll?
Divide the minutes by 60. For example, 7 hours 20 minutes is 7 + 20/60 = 7.33 hours. The calculator shows this conversion automatically for each day.
Should I enter my lunch break?
Enter unpaid meal periods (usually 30 or 60 minutes) in the Break column so they're subtracted. Short paid rest breaks should not be entered — they count as time worked.
Is time card rounding legal?
In the U.S., yes — employers may round to the nearest quarter hour if the practice is neutral over time. Rounding that always favors the employer is not allowed.
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