Calculator Methodology

We convert hours and minutes to decimal hours by treating minutes as a fraction of 60. Formula: decimal = hours + (minutes ÷ 60). For example, 8 hours 15 minutes = 8 + (15 ÷ 60) = 8.25 decimal hours.

See the Time to Decimal Calculator and the Decimal Hours Chart.

We split decimal hours back into hours and minutes by taking the integer part as hours and rounding the fractional part times 60 to the nearest minute. Used by the Decimal to Time Calculator.

Paid hours = (End time − Start time) − Unpaid breaks. If end time is earlier than start time, we treat the shift as crossing midnight and add 24 hours. We then divide total paid minutes by 60 to get decimal hours. This is the core of the Payroll Hours Calculator and the Time Card Calculator.

When a break is marked unpaid, we subtract its minutes from the shift total before computing decimal hours and pay. When a break is marked paid, the shift total is unchanged. Whether your break is paid depends on employer policy and state law. See the Lunch Break Calculator.

Our default overtime estimate uses the U.S. federal weekly rule: hours over 40 in a workweek are paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. Some states (for example California) also apply daily overtime. Our tools do not detect state law automatically. Use the Overtime Calculator and confirm your state rules.

Rounding tools snap a clock time to the nearest interval (5, 6, 10, or 15 minutes). The 7-minute rule rounds to the nearest quarter hour: minutes 1 to 7 round down, 8 to 14 round up. The 6-minute rule rounds to the nearest tenth of an hour. See the Time Clock Rounding Calculator, Quarter Hour Rounding Calculator, and Six Minute Rule Calculator.

Gross pay = (Regular hours × rate) + (Overtime hours × rate × multiplier) + bonus. Default overtime multiplier is 1.5. Double time uses 2.0. See the Gross Pay Calculator, Time and a Half Calculator, and Double Time Calculator.

Our Net Paycheck Estimator applies a flat estimated tax percentage and a fixed deduction total. It does not model federal brackets, FICA, state and local tax, pre-tax benefits, or wage garnishments. Use it as a rough ceiling, not a payroll figure.

The PTO Accrual Calculator multiplies an accrual rate by hours worked or pay periods and applies an optional yearly cap. It does not model carryover policies, tenure-based tiers, or company blackout periods.

The Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator works backward from a target annual income, billable hours per week, expenses, and an estimated tax percentage. It does not model self-employment tax brackets or state-specific tax rules.

We review calculator logic, examples, and internal links on a rolling basis. When U.S. payroll math itself changes (rare for the arithmetic on this site), we update the affected pages and the methodology. Spot something off? Email [email protected].