Working Hours Calculator USA 2025

Keeping accurate track of the hours you work isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. In the U.S., the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulates working hours, minimum wage, and overtime rules. Whether you’re full-time, part-time, hourly, or salaried, staying on top of your work hours helps ensure fair pay and prevents potential disputes with your employer.

Need a fast, simple way to track your hours worked or calculate overtime?

Try our free Working Hours Calculator to track time accurately and make sure you're paid what you're owed.

What Is a Working Hours Calculator?

A working hours calculator helps you track how many hours you’ve worked over a certain period. It's useful for:

• Verifying your pay
• Tracking overtime hours
• Comparing scheduled vs. actual hours worked

Whether you're an hourly retail worker in Texas, a remote tech employee in California, or a part-time barista in New York, this tool is designed to help you monitor your hours with ease.

What Are the Working Hour Rules in the U.S.?

Standard Work Hours

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the standard full-time schedule is generally:

• 8 hours per day
• 40 hours per week

However, the FLSA does not mandate a limit on hours per day or week for those aged 16 and older, as long as employees are paid overtime when required.

Overtime Pay Regulations

• Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for any hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
• Some salaried positions are exempt (see below).

For example

If you earn $20/hour and work 45 hours a week:

• Regular pay = $20 × 40 = $800
• Overtime pay = $30 × 5 = $150
• Total = $950

Who’s Exempt from Overtime?

Certain roles are exempt from overtime under federal law. These typically include:

• Executives and managers
• Professionals (e.g., doctors, lawyers, accountants)
• Administrative employees with decision-making authority
• Outside sales employees
• Certain tech roles (depending on salary and duties)

Expert advice

Make sure to check the U.S. Department of Labor website (https://www.dol.gov/) for the latest exemption criteria and salary thresholds (many thresholds may be subject to change).

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Work (U.S. Definition)

• Full-time: Generally considered 30+ hours per week. However, this may vary by employer. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) defines full-time employees as those averaging 30+ hours per week for benefits eligibility.
• Part-time: Typically less than 30 hours per week. Part-time workers may not be eligible for health benefits or paid time off, depending on employer policies.

Good to know

Unlike some Canadian provinces, the U.S. does not require equal pay for part-time and full-time workers doing similar jobs. However, federal laws such as the Equal Pay Act prohibit wage discrimination based on gender.

What Are Break and Meal Period Rules?

Federal law does not require employers to provide breaks or meal periods. However, many states have their own laws:

• California: Requires a 30-minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours worked, and 10-minute paid breaks every 4 hours.
• New York: Requires a 30-minute lunch break for shifts over 6 hours, and additional breaks for longer shifts.
• Texas: No state-mandated breaks.

Check your state’s Department of Labor for specific rules that apply to your location.

What’s the 3-Hour Minimum Work Rule?

The U.S. does not have a federal minimum hours rule requiring employers to pay a minimum number of hours if an employee shows up for work but is sent home early. However, some states (like California, New York, and Massachusetts) have "reporting time pay" laws requiring partial pay in these cases.

How to Calculate Your Working Hours?

You can use our calculator to find out:

• Total daily hours: Input your start time, end time, and break duration.
• Weekly total: Add up your daily totals for the week.
• Annual total: Multiply your weekly hours by the number of weeks worked (subtracting vacation or unpaid leave).

For example

Total daily hours = (End time – Start time) – Break duration

Worked 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM with a 1-hour lunch break = 8 hours/day
5 days/week × 8 hours = 40 hours per week

Total weekly hours = Daily hours × Number of workdays in a week

Why Use a Working Hours Calculator?

Our calculator helps you:

• Verify if you’re full-time or part-time
• Check for potential unpaid overtime
• Keep records in case of pay discrepancies
• Help with budgeting or taxes

Sample Time Sheet (U.S. 40-Hour Week)

Sample 12-Hour Workday Schedule

Good to know

Extended shifts may require additional breaks or trigger mandatory overtime, depending on your state.

Ready to Make the Most of Your Earnings?

Tracking your work hours and ensuring fair compensation is just the first step toward financial well-being. The next step? Putting your income to work.

Investing has become increasingly popular among individuals in the United States, as more people seek to grow their wealth and achieve financial independence. With a wide range of investment options—from stocks and ETFs to real estate, bonds, and cryptocurrencies—investors have numerous opportunities to build diversified portfolios that match their goals.

Each investment avenue comes with its own risks and rewards, which is why it’s essential to choose strategies aligned with your financial objectives and risk tolerance.

Whether you're a beginner just getting started or an experienced investor looking to optimize your portfolio, our guide will help you navigate the U.S. investment landscape with confidence. Explore the U.S. Investing Guide Now.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.