What is the 7 minute rule?

For 15-minute rounding, punches 7 minutes or less past the quarter hour round down, and punches 8 minutes or more round up. The 7-minute threshold is the break point between rounding down and rounding up.

Which rounding increment is most common?

The 15-minute (quarter hour) rule with a 7-minute breakpoint is the most common in U.S. payroll. 6-minute (tenth of an hour) rounding is common in legal and consulting billing. 5-minute is used in some manufacturing time clocks.

Payroll Rounding Calculators

Round clock punches to 5, 6, 10, or 15 minute increments for payroll.

Most U.S. employers round time clock punches to keep payroll math clean. These calculators apply the most common rounding rules, and the related guides explain when each one is appropriate.

Calculators

7 Minute Rule

Round clock times to the nearest quarter hour using the 7 minute rule.

Quarter Hour Rounding

Round any clock time to the nearest 15 minutes.

Clock Rounding

Round clock times to 5, 6, 10, or 15 minute increments.

Six Minute Rule

Round clock times to the nearest 6-minute (one tenth hour) increment.

Conversion Chart

Look up minute-to-decimal conversions for payroll.

Decimal Hours Chart

Reference chart of minutes to decimal hours with copy and search.

How time clock rounding works

Rounding adjusts each punch (or each total) to the nearest increment: 5 minutes, 6 minutes (one tenth of an hour), 10 minutes, or 15 minutes (one quarter hour). The U.S. Department of Labor allows it as long as it is neutral on average. The 7-minute rule is the standard breakpoint inside 15-minute rounding.

Which rule does my employer use?

Check your employee handbook, your time clock configuration screen, or ask payroll directly. If you cannot find the rule documented anywhere, that itself may be worth raising; consistent under-rounding violates federal rules. These calculators let you model each rule so you can compare a rounded total to your actual punch times.

Estimate only

The calculators apply textbook rounding logic. Real payroll software can implement rounding slightly differently (per punch, per shift, per day, or on the total). Use the result as a check, not a payroll filing.

Related guides

Time Clock Rounding Rules

Common time clock rounding rules used by U.S. employers: nearest 5, 6, 10, or 15 minutes, plus what neutral rounding means.

7 Minute Rule

How the 7 minute rule rounds clock times to the nearest quarter hour for payroll, with worked examples and common pitfalls.

Decimal Hours Explained

What decimal hours are, why payroll software uses 8.25 instead of 8h 15m, how to convert, and how decimal time avoids base-60 errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the U.S. Department of Labor permits rounding to the nearest 5, 6, or 15 minute increment as long as the rounding does not consistently favor the employer and the employee is fully compensated over time.

Before you use the result

Our calculators give quick payroll-time and pay estimates. Your final paycheck depends on factors this tool does not see, including employer policy, state and local rules, time clock rounding, paid versus unpaid breaks, premium pay, deductions, and how your payroll provider applies them.

Confirm pay rules with your employer, payroll provider, or HR team.
Overtime, breaks, and rounding rules can change by state.

For how each calculation is built, see our methodology and disclaimer.