Break Time Calculator — Find Your Paid Hours After Breaks

Calculate total time from clock-in to clock-out, then subtract unpaid break minutes (for example 30 or 60 for lunch). The remainder is usually what counts toward paid hours unless your employer rounds or has a different policy. For an 8 AM to 5 PM shift (9 hours total) minus a 1-hour lunch, your paid hours are 8.

Under US federal law (FLSA), short rest breaks of 5–20 minutes are considered paid time. Meal breaks of 30 minutes or longer are typically unpaid, but only if the employee is completely relieved of duties. Rules vary by state and country — always check your local labor laws and employee handbook.

In many US states, an 8-hour shift requires at least one 30-minute unpaid meal break (usually after 5–6 hours of work) plus one or two 10–15 minute paid rest breaks. Some states like California require a second meal break for shifts over 10 hours. Check your state's specific requirements.

Yes. Find the gross span with start and end times, then subtract each unpaid break. For example, an 8 AM to 6 PM shift (10 hours) minus a 30-minute morning break and a 60-minute lunch gives 8.5 paid hours. You can run the calculation for segments before and after breaks and add the paid portions.

For a 12-hour shift (e.g., 7 AM to 7 PM), subtract all unpaid breaks. A typical 12-hour shift has two 30-minute meal breaks, giving you 11 paid hours. Some employers also provide additional 15-minute paid rest breaks that don't reduce your paid time.