Break Time Calculator
Calculate your net billable work hours by subtracting unpaid lunch and meal breaks. Ensure federal compliance with FLSA paid rest vs unpaid meal rules.
Quick Answer: Break Deduction Formula
Net compensable work hours are calculated by subtracting unpaid meal breaks from total shift duration:
• Example: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM (8h) with a 45-minute unpaid lunch = 8.0 − 0.75 = 7.25 Net Hours (7h 15m).
Total Work Hours
35:00
35.00 decimal hrs
Regular Hours
35:00
35.00 decimal hrs
Overtime Hours
0:00
0.00 decimal hrs
Days Worked
5 days
Avg: 7:00/day (7.00h)
Weekly overtime threshold: 40 hours/week (Multiplier: 1.5x). Based on standard US FLSA rules; specific state or contract rules (e.g. CA daily overtime) may apply.
Federal Labor Law: Paid vs. Unpaid Breaks (FLSA)
The US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division draws a clear distinction between compensable rest breaks and non-compensable meal periods:
- Rest Periods (5–20 Minutes): Under 29 CFR § 785.18, short rest breaks running from 5 to about 20 minutes promote worker efficiency and must be counted as paid hours worked. Employers cannot deduct these breaks from timesheets.
- Bona Fide Meal Periods (30+ Minutes): Under 29 CFR § 785.19, bona fide meal periods (ordinarily 30 minutes or longer) are not work time and are unpaid, provided the employee is completely relieved from duty for the purpose of eating regular meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate net work hours after deducting breaks?
Calculate the total time elapsed between your shift start and shift end, then subtract your unpaid meal break in minutes. For example: 09:00 to 17:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes. Subtracting a 45-minute unpaid lunch leaves 7 hours 45 minutes (7.75 decimal hours).
Are short 15-minute breaks paid or unpaid under federal law?
Under federal regulations (29 CFR § 785.18), short rest periods of 5 to 20 minutes are considered paid working time that benefits the employer. They cannot be docked from an employee's pay. Only bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or longer) where the worker is completely relieved of duties are unpaid.
What if I take multiple unpaid breaks in one day?
Simply sum the duration of all unpaid breaks taken throughout the shift (e.g., 30-minute lunch + 15-minute unpaid afternoon break = 45 minutes) and enter the total minutes into the Break field.
Does break deduction affect weekly overtime eligibility?
Yes. Overtime is calculated solely on actual hours worked. Because unpaid breaks are subtracted from total shift time, only your net productive hours count toward the 40-hour weekly overtime threshold.
What qualifies as an unpaid bona fide meal break?
According to DOL 29 CFR § 785.19, an unpaid meal break requires that the employee is completely relieved from work duties for at least 30 minutes. If an employee must answer phones, monitor equipment, or remain at their desk, the break must be compensated.
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