Shift hours calculator
One shift, worked out properly: the start, the finish and any unpaid breaks, even when the finish is the next morning. The answer comes in hours and minutes and in decimal hours.
A worked example
A night shift from 22:00 to 06:00 with a 30 minute unpaid break. From start to finish is 8 hours. Take off the break and the paid time is 7 hours 30 minutes, or 7.5 hours.
How it is worked out
If the finish is earlier than the start, 24 hours are added to the finish, because the shift ended the next day.
Paid time is finish − start − unpaid break, and never less than nothing. Decimal hours are the paid minutes ÷ 60.
What this tool cannot tell you
- Whether time before or after the shift counts as work
- Which breaks a person is entitled to, or whether they are paid
- Rates or penalties for night work
- Hours across more than one shift: use the work hours calculator
Questions
How long is a shift from 10pm to 6am?
Eight hours from start to finish. Take off any unpaid break, so a 30 minute break leaves 7 hours 30 minutes, or 7.5 hours.
When does a shift start, for the purpose of counting hours?
When work begins, as your roster or timesheet records it. Whether time spent arriving early or staying late counts is a question for the award, agreement or your own policy, so settle that before relying on the figure.
Can a shift be longer than a day here?
No. This works out one shift within a day and a night. For hours across several days, use the work hours calculator.