Lunch Break Calculator: Return Time, Clock-Out & Hours Worked

Frequently asked questions

Does lunch count as work time?

A paid lunch generally counts toward paid work time, while an unpaid lunch is subtracted from the elapsed shift. When calculating a clock-out time, an unpaid lunch extends the day.

What time do I leave after 8 hours with a 30-minute lunch?

Add 8 hours 30 minutes to your start time. For example, a 7:00 AM start gives a 3:30 PM clock-out time.

When do I return from a 30- or 45-minute lunch?

Choose “Back from lunch,” enter when lunch starts, and select 30 or 45 minutes. A 12:00 PM lunch ends at 12:30 PM or 12:45 PM.

How do I calculate hours worked after lunch?

Choose “Hours worked.” The calculator finds the time between clock-in and clock-out, then subtracts your unpaid lunch and breaks.

Can I calculate a 7.5-hour workday?

Yes. For a future clock-out time, enter 7 paid hours and 30 paid minutes. To check a completed shift, enter the clock-in and clock-out times instead.

What happens if my shift ends after midnight?

The calculator labels a future clock-out time as “the next day.” In Hours worked mode, a clock-out earlier than clock-in is treated as the next day.

Is this the same as the therapy productivity calculator?

No. This calculator handles ordinary work times and unpaid breaks. The therapy calculator works backward from billable therapy minutes and a productivity percentage.

What time do I clock back in from a 30-minute lunch?

Add 30 minutes to the time you clocked out. If you clocked out at 12:15 PM, you clock back in at 12:45 PM. The Back-from-Lunch mode above does this for any break length.

How many hours is 9 to 5 with a 30-minute lunch?

7.5 hours. A 9 AM – 5 PM shift is 8 hours; subtracting an unpaid 30-minute lunch leaves 7.5 hours worked.

Does a lunch break count as hours worked?

Usually not. In the US, bona fide meal periods of 30 minutes or more are typically unpaid and excluded from hours worked, while short breaks of 5–20 minutes are typically paid. Your employer’s policy and state law control — check your handbook.

How do I calculate my hours for a timesheet with a lunch break?

Subtract your clock-out-to-clock-in lunch gap from your total shift time: (end time − start time) − break length. Enter your times in the Hours Worked mode above to get the exact decimal hours for your timesheet.