1. Enter Your Hours
For each workday, enter your start time, end time, and break duration. Navigate between weeks using the arrow buttons. Your data is saved automatically.
Daily Time Entries
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Period Total
0:00
Total Hours
0:00
Regular
0:00
Overtime
0:00
Est. Gross Pay
£0.00
Daily Breakdown
Weekly Insights
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How to Use This Work Hours Calculator
Our calculator goes beyond basic time subtraction. Here's how to make the most of every feature in three simple steps.
2. Instant Results
Your total hours, regular hours, and overtime are calculated in real-time as you type. Enable pay rate in settings to see estimated gross earnings instantly.
3. Export & Share
Download your timesheet as a CSV file for spreadsheets, print a formatted PDF for your records, or copy results to paste into an email or payroll system.
Understanding UK Overtime & Working Time Rules
The Working Time Regulations 1998 set the legal limits on working hours in the UK. Here's what you need to know about your rights and employer obligations.
Is Overtime Pay a Legal Requirement?
Unlike some countries, the UK has no statutory law requiring overtime to be paid at a premium rate. Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, employers must limit average weekly hours, but whether overtime is paid — and at what rate — is set out in your employment contract, not by law.
- Overtime pay, if offered, is a matter of your contract — there's no statutory "time-and-a-half" rate as there is in some other countries.
- Your average pay, including any overtime, must never fall below the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
- Workers are entitled to a minimum of 11 hours' rest between shifts and at least one full day off each week.
- Some sectors, such as the NHS or emergency services, have separate collective agreements covering overtime and additional hours.
Important: Contractual vs. Statutory Rights
Not every extra hour worked has to be paid at a premium rate — but employers must never let overtime bring your average pay below the legal minimum. Two protections always apply:
- National Minimum Wage Test: Total pay divided by total hours worked (including unpaid overtime) must meet or exceed the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for your age band.
- 48-Hour Limit: The Working Time Regulations cap the working week at an average of 48 hours over a 17-week reference period, unless you've signed an opt-out agreement.
- Rest Breaks: Workers are entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute break if their working day is longer than 6 hours.
Warning: Underpaying workers below the National Minimum Wage is a serious offence. Employers found in breach can be publicly named, fined, and ordered to repay arrears. When in doubt, consult ACAS or an employment solicitor.
Advanced Features That Set Us Apart
Most work hours calculators only do basic subtraction. Ours handles real-world scenarios that others miss.
Overnight Shift Support
Working 10 PM to 6 AM? The calculator detects overnight shifts automatically and calculates hours correctly across midnight.
Pay Estimation
Enter your hourly rate and overtime multiplier to see estimated gross pay broken down by regular and overtime hours.
Auto-Save Data
Your entries are saved to your browser automatically. Come back tomorrow and your timesheet is exactly as you left it.
CSV & PDF Export
Export to CSV for Excel/Google Sheets or print a clean PDF timesheet. No sign-up or paywall required.
Customizable Overtime
Set your own overtime threshold and rate multiplier. Whether it's 40 hours at 1.5x or 35 hours at 2x, we handle it.
Visual Breakdown
See your daily hours at a glance with a color-coded bar chart. Green for regular hours, blue for overtime — instantly understandable.
How to Calculate Work Hours Manually
Understanding the math behind your timesheet helps you verify your paycheck and spot errors.
The Basic Formula
Net Hours = (End Time − Start Time) − Break
Example: You clock in at 8:30 AM and out at 5:15 PM with a 45-minute lunch break.
- Total elapsed: 5:15 PM − 8:30 AM = 8 hours 45 minutes
- Subtract break: 8h 45m − 0h 45m = 8 hours 0 minutes
Overtime Pay Calculation
Gross Pay = (Regular × Rate) + (OT × Rate × Multiplier)
Example: 45 hours worked, £20/hr rate, 1.5x overtime (40hr threshold).
- Regular: 40h × £20 = £800
- Overtime: 5h × £20 × 1.5 = £150
- Total gross pay: £950
Overtime Rules by Region
Working hour regulations vary significantly by country. Here's a summary of key rules in major markets.
United Kingdom
- No statutory overtime premium — it's contractual
- Maximum 48 hours/week (can opt out)
- Governed by the Working Time Regulations 1998
- Workers get 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year
European Union
- Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over 17 weeks
- Minimum 11 hours rest per 24-hour period
- Governed by the EU Working Time Directive
- Overtime rules vary by member state
This information is for general guidance only. Always consult local labor authorities or a qualified employment lawyer for specific compliance advice.
Time Clock Rounding Rules
Employers often round clock-in and clock-out times for payroll simplicity. UK law doesn't set specific rounding rules, but any rounding must remain fair to the employee.
The 1/4-Hour Rule
A common convention is to round time to the nearest 5 minutes, 1/10th of an hour (6 minutes), or 1/4 of an hour (15 minutes). The most widely used practice is quarter-hour rounding.
- Minutes 0–7: Rounded down to the nearest hour (e.g., 8:07 AM becomes 8:00 AM).
- Minutes 8–22: Rounded to the nearest quarter-hour (e.g., 8:10 AM becomes 8:15 AM).
- Minutes 23–37: Rounded to the nearest half-hour (e.g., 8:25 AM becomes 8:30 AM).
- Minutes 38–52: Rounded to the nearest three-quarter hour (e.g., 8:40 AM becomes 8:45 AM).
- Minutes 53–59: Rounded up to the next hour (e.g., 8:55 AM becomes 9:00 AM).
Crucial Rule: This isn't specifically legislated in the UK, but ACAS guidance recommends any rounding practice must balance out over time and stay consistent — it cannot systematically favour the company or push average pay below the National Minimum Wage.
Break and Rest Period Rules
Understanding whether breaks are paid or unpaid is crucial for accurate timesheet calculation. The Working Time Regulations set the minimum standard.
Statutory Rest Break (20 mins)
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, workers are entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute rest break if their working day is longer than 6 hours.
Whether this break is paid is down to your employment contract — the law doesn't require employers to pay for it, though many do.
Longer Meal Breaks (30+ mins)
Many employers offer a longer lunch break instead of, or alongside, the statutory 20 minutes — this is a contractual choice, not a legal requirement.
To be unpaid, you generally need to be completely relieved of duty. If you're expected to keep working through it, it should usually be paid.
Some sectors and collective agreements set stricter break requirements than the statutory minimum. Always check your employment contract or union agreement.
Industry-Specific Work Hour Guidelines
Different industries have unique rules for calculating hours and overtime. Find your sector below.
Healthcare
NHS and independent healthcare staff are usually covered by Agenda for Change or trust-specific contracts, which set out overtime and unsocial hours pay. The 48-hour weekly average cap still applies unless staff have opted out.
Technology
Senior tech roles with genuinely "unmeasured working time" can fall outside the 48-hour limit under the Working Time Regulations. Help-desk and support staff on fixed shifts are not exempt and should have their hours tracked as normal.
Retail & Food
"Off-the-clock" work that pushes average pay below the National Minimum Wage is illegal. Pre-shift prep, post-shift cleanup, and mandatory meetings must all be paid and counted toward your total hours.
Construction
Many construction workers are covered by the Working Rule Agreement, which sets out pay, travel allowances, and hours for the industry. Travel time between job sites during the day is normally paid, but the standard commute to the first site is not.
Glossary of Payroll Terms
Key terms you'll encounter when tracking work hours and reading your paystub.
Regular Rate of Pay
The base hourly rate an employee is paid. Overtime is calculated at 1.5x this rate. It includes all non-overtime compensation, like shift differentials and non-discretionary bonuses.
Shift Differential
An extra hourly premium paid to employees who work less desirable hours, such as night shifts, weekends, or holidays.
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay
Gross pay is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what actually hits your bank account after all withholdings.
Double Time (DT)
Pay at twice the regular hourly rate. There's no statutory right to double time in the UK — it's entirely down to what's agreed in your contract or a collective agreement, and is most common for bank holiday or Sunday working.
Comp Time (Compensatory Time)
Time off in lieu (TOIL) given instead of cash overtime pay. This is common in the UK and is entirely a matter of what's agreed between employer and employee — there's no statutory right to cash overtime to opt out of.
Workweek
A fixed, recurring period of 168 hours (7 consecutive 24-hour periods). It doesn't have to align with a calendar week; employers can define it starting on any day (e.g., Tuesday to Monday).
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about calculating work hours and overtime.
Subtract your start time from your end time, then deduct any break time. For example, working 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a 30-minute lunch break equals 7 hours and 30 minutes of work. Our calculator handles this automatically — just enter your times and it does the math for you, including handling overnight shifts that cross midnight.
Overtime is any time you work beyond your contracted hours. Unlike in some countries, UK law doesn't set a fixed overtime premium — whether it's paid, and at what rate, comes down to your employment contract. Our calculator lets you set your own threshold and multiplier to match whatever your contract says. Learn more in our Overtime & Working Time Rules section.
Yes. If your end time is earlier than your start time (e.g., 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM), the calculator automatically detects the overnight shift and calculates hours correctly across midnight. This is a feature most free calculators don't support, but it's essential for healthcare workers, security staff, and anyone on night shifts.
In the UK, a full-time work week is typically 35–40 hours, though this varies by employer and industry. The Working Time Regulations 1998 cap average hours at 48 a week including overtime, unless you've signed an opt-out. Definitions can still vary by employer and sector — always check your employment contract.
Yes. You can export your work hours as a CSV file that opens directly in Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple Numbers. You can also print a clean, formatted timesheet as a PDF for your records or to submit to your employer. Both options are completely free and require no account or sign-up.
Break time is subtracted from the total elapsed time between your start and end times. For example, a 9 AM to 5 PM shift is 8 hours total. With a 60-minute lunch break, your net work hours are 7 hours. Our calculator lets you select common break durations (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes) for each day individually.
No. All your data is stored exclusively in your browser's local storage. Nothing is sent to any server. There are no cookies, no tracking, and no third-party data sharing. You can clear your data at any time using the Reset button or by clearing your browser's local storage.
Not automatically. The UK doesn't have the "exempt vs non-exempt" system used in some countries — whether you're entitled to overtime pay, and at what rate, depends entirely on your employment contract. The one legal floor that always applies is the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage: your average pay, including any overtime, must never fall below it. See our Overtime & Working Time Rules section for full details.