Calculate worked hours, overtime, and pay from a daily shift pattern.
This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Individual results vary based on personal circumstances and assumptions.
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A time card calculator is the essential tool for hourly workers, managers, and payroll departments who need to accurately track worked hours and calculate gross pay each week. Whether you punch a physical time clock, log hours in a spreadsheet, or use a digital time tracking app, the underlying calculation is always the same: sum the daily hours worked, deduct unpaid breaks, apply overtime rules where applicable, and multiply by the pay rate. This guide explains how to use a time card correctly, how overtime is calculated in the USA and UK, and how to spot and fix common timesheet errors.
A time card (also called a timesheet) is a record of the hours an employee works each day of a pay period. Traditional time cards were physical punch cards where employees stamped in and out on a time clock. Modern equivalents are digital — entered into payroll software, submitted via a work app, or tracked automatically through an employee scheduling system.
The core information on any time card:
This calculator handles all of these fields and gives you an instant weekly total and estimated gross pay including overtime at 1.5x.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. A "workweek" is a fixed recurring period of 168 hours — 7 consecutive 24-hour periods — starting on any day the employer designates.
Example time card calculation (federal rules):
UK workers are protected by the Working Time Regulations 1998, which cap average weekly hours at 48 (measured over a 17-week reference period), unless the worker signs an opt-out agreement. Unlike the US, there is no statutory right to enhanced pay for overtime — but your employment contract may grant it.
UK workers on zero-hours contracts are entitled to the same minimum wage and working time protections as regular employees, but only on hours actually worked.
The most common time card error is recording clock-out times without deducting unpaid breaks. An 8-hour shift from 9:00 to 17:30 with a 30-minute unpaid lunch should record as 8 hours, not 8:30. Always deduct unpaid break time before calculating pay.
A common issue with manual time cards is forgetting to punch in or out. Most employers have a policy for correcting missed punches — usually requiring a manager signature on a time card amendment form. In digital systems, an admin can typically correct the record.
For remote workers in different time zones, ensure all times are entered in a consistent format — either local time or company headquarters time. Mismatched time zones cause systematic errors across every payroll period.
Some employers use time rounding policies — rounding to the nearest 6 minutes (0.1 hours) or 15 minutes. Under FLSA rules, time rounding must be neutral over time and cannot systematically benefit the employer. If you are always rounded down, that may be a wage theft issue.
Standard 40-hour workweek (no overtime):
Week with overtime (US federal rules):
Part-time timesheet:
If you want to convert your hourly wage to an annual salary figure:
For your take-home pay after taxes and other deductions, use our Take-Home Paycheck Calculator (US) or the Salary Calculator for detailed breakdowns.
Subtract the start time from the end time for each day to get the total time worked. Deduct any unpaid break time. Sum all daily worked hours for the weekly total. Convert the result to decimal hours for pay calculation (divide minutes by 60).
Federal law (FLSA) requires overtime pay at 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 per workweek. California, Nevada, and Alaska have additional daily overtime rules. Check your specific state's labor laws for details.
No statutory minimum overtime rate exists in the UK. Your contract sets the rate. However, your total hourly earnings including unpaid overtime must not fall below the National Living Wage.
In the US, employers can use time rounding policies but they must be neutral over time — they cannot systematically round in the employer's favor. If you notice your hours are always rounded down, consult your state's labor board.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimated gross pay for informational purposes. Tax deductions, benefits, pension contributions, and other payroll elements are not included. Always verify your official payslip with your employer or payroll provider.