Time Card Calculator
Calculate total weekly work hours, overtime pay at 1.5x, and gross wages with deductions for unpaid breaks. Accurate timesheet calculator for freelancers, contractors, and hourly employees.
Weekly Timesheet
Pay Settings
Pay Summary
REGULAR HOURS
0.00h
$0.00
Gross Weekly Pay
$0.00
Total Hours: 0.00
How Work Hours & Overtime Pay Are Calculated
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, establishes standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping. Under FLSA regulations, non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek.
A "workweek" is defined as any fixed, regularly recurring period of 168 hours (seven consecutive 24-hour periods). Employers are required to maintain accurate records of hours worked, and our time card calculator helps both employees and employers verify these figures independently.
Key Payroll Formulas
Daily Hours Worked
Formula for a single shift.
Hours = (Out − In) − Break
Regular Pay
Standard hours (up to 40/week).
Pay = Hours × Rate
Overtime Pay (FLSA)
Hours exceeding 40/week.
OT Pay = OT Hours × Rate × 1.5
Understanding FLSA Overtime Rules
The Fair Labor Standards Act (administered by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor) has specific rules about overtime eligibility:
- Non-Exempt Workers: Entitled to 1.5x overtime after 40 weekly hours. This is the default in our calculator.
- Exempt Employees: Salaried workers meeting specific duties and salary tests (currently $35,568/year minimum) are not eligible for FLSA overtime.
- State Variations: States like California require daily overtime (after 8 hours/day) and double-time (after 12 hours/day), in addition to federal weekly overtime.
- Healthcare Workers: Under the 8/80 rule, hospitals can calculate overtime after 8 hours/day or 80 hours in a 14-day period.
Break Law Requirements
Break rules vary by jurisdiction, but here are the most common standards:
- Federal (FLSA): Rest breaks of 5-20 minutes are considered compensable work time. Meal breaks of 30+ minutes are unpaid only if the employee is fully relieved of duties.
- California (CA Labor Code §512): A 30-minute unpaid meal break is required for shifts exceeding 5 hours, and a second meal break for shifts exceeding 10 hours.
- New York: Requires a 30-minute noonday meal break for shifts covering the period from 11 AM to 2 PM.
- Freelancers & Contractors: Independent contractors are not covered by FLSA break rules, but self-imposed break deductions are important for accurate billing.
Real-World Payroll Example
Scenario: An employee earning $20/hour works the following schedule:
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with a 30-minute unpaid lunch = 8.5 hours/day × 5 = 42.5 hours
Calculation:
- Regular hours: 40 hours × $20 = $800.00
- Overtime hours: 2.5 hours × $30 (1.5x) = $75.00
- Gross weekly pay: $875.00
Note: This is gross pay before tax withholdings (federal income tax, FICA, state tax). Net take-home pay will be lower. Consult a tax professional or use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator for accurate net pay calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my total work hours for the week?
For each day, subtract your start time from your end time, then subtract unpaid breaks. Add all daily totals together. Our calculator does this automatically.
How is overtime calculated?
Under the FLSA, non-exempt employees earn 1.5x their hourly rate for hours exceeding 40 per week. Our calculator applies this by default with options to change the threshold.
What about overnight or graveyard shifts?
The calculator automatically detects when the Out time is earlier than the In time and adds 24 hours to correctly compute shift duration.
Are unpaid lunch breaks deducted automatically?
You enter break duration in minutes per day. The calculator subtracts that time, giving you full control over break accounting.
Is this time card calculator FLSA compliant?
It uses FLSA-standard overtime rules by default (1.5x after 40 hours). Always verify with your employer's official payroll system for wage compliance.
Is my pay information private?
Yes. Your hourly rate, work schedule, and calculated earnings are never sent to any server. Everything runs in your browser via JavaScript.
The tools and calculators provided on The Simple Toolbox are intended for educational and informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or professional advice. While we strive to keep calculations accurate, numbers are based on user inputs and standard assumptions that may not apply to your specific situation. Always consult with a certified professional (such as a CPA, financial advisor, or attorney) before making significant financial or business decisions.
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