Breaks
How to Calculate Lunch Breaks in Work Hours
Lunch breaks are usually deducted from total work hours when the break is unpaid. To calculate your paid work time, subtract the lunch break from your shift duration.
Lunch Break Formula
Paid work time = End time − Start time − Lunch break
Example:
Start: 9:00 AM
End: 5:00 PM
Lunch break: 30 minutes
Total paid work time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Examples
| Start | End | Lunch Break | Paid Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 30 min | 7h 30m |
| 8:00 AM | 4:30 PM | 45 min | 7h 45m |
| 10:00 AM | 6:00 PM | 60 min | 7h 00m |
Paid vs Unpaid Breaks
If a break is unpaid, subtract it from your work time. If a break is paid, do not subtract it. Employers and locations may handle breaks differently, so this calculator only handles the math.
Use the Lunch Break Calculator
Use our free Lunch Break Calculator to subtract lunch from your shift and see total paid work time.
Related calculators
Use the Lunch Break Calculator
Subtract lunch breaks from your shift and see total paid time.