Time Card Calculator with Lunch
Clock in, out for lunch, back from lunch, and out for the day. We subtract the lunch break and total your hours for the week.
How lunch breaks are subtracted
For each day the calculator works out the full shift (time out minus time in), then removes the time between lunch out and lunch in. Leave the lunch boxes empty on days with no lunch break.
Example: In at 8:00 AM, lunch out at 12:00 PM, back at 12:45 PM, out at 5:00 PM. The shift is 9 hours; lunch is 45 minutes; hours worked are 8 hours 15 minutes (8.25 hours).
Are lunch breaks paid?
Under federal rules, a bona fide meal period (usually 30 minutes or more, when you are fully relieved from duty) does not have to be paid. Short rest breaks of 5 to 20 minutes are counted as paid work time. Many states set their own meal and rest break rules, so check your state labor department.
If you only need to enter a single unpaid break in minutes, use the main time card calculator.
TimeCardPal gives estimates for planning and checking pay. It is not legal, tax or payroll advice. Overtime rules vary by state and job type; check with your state labor department or a payroll professional for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked with a lunch break?
Find the total time from clock-in to clock-out, then subtract the lunch break. 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM is 8.5 hours; minus a 30-minute lunch is 8 hours.
Is a 30-minute lunch break paid?
Usually not, if you are completely relieved from duty. Under federal rules, meal periods of 30 minutes or more are generally unpaid, while short breaks of 5 to 20 minutes are paid.
What if I take more than one break?
Use the lunch columns for your main unpaid break. For other unpaid breaks, use the main time card calculator and enter the total unpaid minutes for the day.
Can I calculate a biweekly time card with lunch?
Yes. Choose Biweekly in the pay period setting and a second week of rows appears. Overtime is still worked out for each week separately.
Does it work for night shifts?
Yes. If a time is earlier than the one before it, the calculator assumes it is after midnight and counts the hours correctly.