The Basic Formula
A time card total starts with elapsed time. If you clock in at 9:00 AM and clock out at 5:30 PM, the elapsed time is 8.5 hours.
If your lunch is unpaid, subtract it. A 30-minute unpaid lunch makes that shift 8.0 paid hours.
What to Track for Each Day
The best time card records are boring in a good way. They use the same fields every day, which makes totals easier to check.
- Clock-in time
- Clock-out time
- Unpaid lunch minutes
- Other unpaid break minutes
- Total paid hours
- Notes for missed punches or edits
Weekly Example
If you work five 8.5-hour shifts and take a 30-minute unpaid lunch each day, your paid total is 40 hours. Without subtracting lunch, you might think you worked 42.5 hours.
That difference matters when you are estimating overtime or checking your paycheck. Break tracking keeps the math honest.
When an App Helps
A website calculator is great for quick totals. But if you need to save every shift, export records, track overtime, and handle multiple jobs, use an app that stores the full time card history.
Shift Log+ is built for that ongoing record.
Shift Log+ saves shifts, subtracts breaks, tracks pay periods, and gives you a running total before payday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I subtract lunch from a time card?
Calculate the time between clock-in and clock-out, then subtract unpaid lunch or break minutes from the total.
What if I work overnight?
If clock-out is earlier than clock-in, treat the clock-out time as the next day. Shift Log+ and the website time card calculator both handle overnight totals.
Can I save my time card online?
The website calculator is for quick totals only. Shift Log+ saves shifts and pay periods in the app.