Working Hours Calculator UK 2025

Keeping accurate track of the hours you work isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. In the UK, working time is regulated by the Working Time Regulations 1998, which cover maximum weekly hours, rest breaks, annual leave, and night shifts. Whether you're full-time, part-time, on a zero-hours contract, or self-employed, tracking your hours can help you ensure fair treatment and avoid pay disputes.

Need a quick, simple way to track your hours or calculate overtime? Use our free Working Hours Calculator to stay accurate and protect your pay.

What Is a Working Hours Calculator?

A working hours calculator helps you determine how many hours you’ve worked over a day, week, or month. It’s useful for:

• Verifying if your hours match your contract
• Calculating overtime
• Comparing actual vs. scheduled hours
• Staying compliant with UK working time limits

Whether you’re a hospitality worker in London, a remote employee in Manchester, or a part-time retail assistant in Birmingham, this tool is here to help you manage your hours with ease.

What Are the Working Hour Rules in the UK?

Standard Working Hours

According to UK Government guidance, most workers should not work more than:

• 48 hours per week on average, usually averaged over 17 weeks

You can choose to opt out of this 48-hour limit in writing (often included in contracts), but you cannot be forced to do so.

Break Entitlements

Under the Working Time Regulations, you’re entitled to:

• A 20-minute uninterrupted rest break if you work more than 6 hours
• 11 hours of rest between shifts
• At least 1 full day off per week (or 2 every 14 days)

These entitlements can vary slightly based on age, contract, and specific job roles.

Overtime Rules in the UK

Unlike some countries, there is no statutory requirement to pay extra for overtime in the UK—unless:

• Your overtime brings your pay below the National Minimum Wage
• Your employment contract or workplace agreement explicitly offers extra pay

That said, many employers voluntarily pay time and a half or double time for overtime, weekends, or bank holidays.

For example

If you earn £12/hour and work 45 hours in a week:

• Contracted hours = 40 × £12 = £480
• 5 hours overtime = 5 × £18 (1.5x) = £90
• Total = £570

Make sure to check your employment contract for your specific entitlements.

Who Is Exempt from Working Time Limits?

Certain jobs are not covered by the 48-hour weekly limit, including:

• Emergency services and armed forces
• Domestic staff in private households
• Sea, air, and road transport workers (covered by separate rules)
• Senior executives or workers who determine their own hours

Visit gov.uk for a full list of exemptions.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time in the UK

• Full-time: Typically 35–40 hours per week
• Part-time: Anything less than the full-time hours of your workplace

What’s the Minimum Shift Pay Rule?

If you show up for work but are sent home early, your employer is generally not required to pay you—unless your contract or union agreement says otherwise. However, if you’re on a zero-hours contract, you must still receive at least National Minimum Wage for hours actually worked.

How to Calculate Your Working Hours?

You can use our calculator to determine:

• Daily hours = End Time – Start Time – Break
• Weekly hours = Total of all daily hours worked
• Annual estimate = Weekly hours × number of work weeks (minus leave)

For example

Worked 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM with 1-hour lunch = 8 hours/day
Worked 5 days/week = 8 × 5 = 40 hours/week

This method is helpful for employees, freelancers, and contractors alike.

Why Use a Working Hours Calculator?

This tool can help you:

• Identify whether you're full-time, part-time, or exceeding limits
• Check for possible unpaid overtime
• Support a wage complaint or legal claim
• Monitor your hours for mental health and well-being
• Budget based on accurate income expectations

Example: UK Timesheet Template

If you’re unsure how to track hours, here’s a simple timesheet template based on a 40-hour workweek:

This format is useful if you’re submitting hours to a manager, using for payroll, or just keeping personal records.

Sample 12-Hour Shift Schedule

Some jobs in healthcare, emergency services, logistics, and manufacturing involve 12-hour shifts. Here’s what a weekly schedule might look like:

Ready to Make the Most of Your Earnings?

Tracking your work hours and ensuring fair compensation is just the start. The next step? Putting your income to work.

Investing is becoming more popular across the UK as more people aim to grow their savings and plan for financial independence. With options like stocks, ISAs, ETFs, bonds, property, and pensions, there are multiple ways to build long-term wealth.

Each investment type comes with different risks and rewards—so it’s essential to align your choices with your goals, risk tolerance, and timeline.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to diversify your portfolio, our UK investment guide will help you navigate the landscape confidently. Explore the UK Investing Guide Now.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.