Hours Calculator · Practical guide
How Many Hours Is 8 AM to 5 PM?
9 hours on the clock — but 8 to 8.5 paid after lunch. Common shift totals, overnight shifts, and decimal-hour conversions.
At a glance
The Quick Answer
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM is 9 hours on the clock. After subtracting an unpaid lunch, you are paid for 8.5 hours with a 30-minute break or 8 hours with a full hour — which is why the classic 9-to-5 schedule with a one-hour lunch totals a 40-hour week.
Interactive tool
Hours Calculator
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
Results
Common Shift Totals
| Shift | On the Clock | Minus 30-Min Lunch | Minus 1-Hour Lunch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
Counting Your Own Shift
Subtract the start time from the end time, then deduct breaks. A 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM shift is 10.5 hours on the clock; with a 30-minute lunch that is 10 paid hours. Overnight shifts work the same way — 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM is 8 hours even though the date changes.
Minutes to Decimal Hours
Payroll systems record decimal hours: 15 minutes is 0.25, 30 minutes is 0.50, and 45 minutes is 0.75. So 8 hours 45 minutes is 8.75 hours, and at $20 an hour that shift pays 8.75 x $20 = $175. Enter your start time, end time, and break above to total any schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 8 to 5 a 40-hour week?
With a one-hour unpaid lunch, five 8-to-5 days give exactly 40 paid hours. With a 30-minute lunch it is 42.5 hours, 2.5 of which may count as overtime.
Does a paid lunch count as hours worked?
Yes. If you are paid through lunch or required to stay at your desk, that time generally counts as hours worked under the FLSA.
How many hours is 8:30 to 5 with a 30-minute lunch?
8.5 hours on the clock minus 0.5 for lunch equals 8 paid hours.
How do I handle a shift past midnight?
Just subtract as usual — 10 PM to 6 AM is 8 hours. The calculator wraps overnight shifts automatically.