Lunch Break Calculator
Subtract unpaid lunch or meal breaks from a shift and see paid work time.
Formula
Paid Work Time = Shift Length - Unpaid Break Time
Break Percent = Break Time / Shift Length * 100 Complete example
A 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM shift is 8 hours. Subtracting a 45 minute lunch leaves 7.25 paid hours.
When to use this calculator
- Check paid time after a meal break.
- Estimate break share of a shift.
- Prepare time entries before submitting a timesheet.
How to interpret the results
Work time is the paid duration after unpaid break time. Break percent shows how much of the elapsed shift was unpaid break time.
Common mistakes
- Subtracting paid breaks as unpaid time.
- Entering a break longer than the shift.
- Assuming break policy is the same everywhere.
Related tools
Calculate shift length from start time, end time, and unpaid break minutes, including overnight shifts.
Work Hours Work Hours CalculatorCalculate total work hours from one or more shifts, including unpaid break time and overnight shifts.
Timesheets Time Card CalculatorCalculate daily and weekly time card totals from clock-in time, clock-out time, breaks, hourly rate, and overtime threshold.
FAQ
Does this tell me whether lunch is required?
No. It is a calculator, not labor law guidance.
Can I use 0 minutes for lunch?
Yes. Enter 0 if no unpaid break should be subtracted.
Can lunch be longer than the shift?
No. The calculator rejects breaks that remove all paid time.
Disclaimer
TimesheetKit calculators are for general time planning and educational use. They do not replace payroll, tax, accounting, legal, or employer policy guidance.