How to Calculate a Night Shift
To calculate a night shift, identify the start time, end time, and unpaid break duration. If the shift ends after midnight, treat the end as occurring on the following day before subtracting unpaid breaks.
Practical timekeeping guide · ShiftHours
Work out the full duration
A shift from 9:30 PM to 5:30 AM lasts 8 hours. Count 2 hours 30 minutes from 9:30 PM to midnight, then 5 hours 30 minutes from midnight to 5:30 AM.
This split calculation is a useful way to verify overnight durations by hand.
Subtract unpaid breaks
If the 8-hour shift includes a 30-minute unpaid meal break, net work time is 7 hours 30 minutes. If the break is paid, the paid-time total may remain 8 hours, depending on the applicable policy.
Enter only the breaks that should be deducted from the total.
Keep the work date clear
Night shifts may begin on one date and end on another. Record both dates if your timesheet requires them. The workday or pay period assignment may depend on employer rules or local regulations.
Do not assume a generic calculator can determine shift premiums, night differentials, or overtime eligibility.
Use a calculator
Select the overnight option in the ShiftHours work hours calculator and enter the unpaid break. For more detail, see how to calculate an overnight shift.
Use the free ShiftHours work hours calculator to calculate shift length, subtract unpaid breaks, and view decimal hours. For weekly totals, try the weekly calculator.
Example: an overnight shift
A shift from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM the next day spans 8 hours. If the worker has a 30-minute unpaid break, net time is 7 hours and 30 minutes. Record the next-day finish correctly to avoid a negative duration.
Related resources
Open the work hours calculator · Browse all ShiftHours articles · Decimal hours chart