How to Calculate Working Hours & Billable Hours (US, UK, Canada)
Knowing exactly how many hours you worked – and how many of those are billable – is essential for freelancers, contractors and employees in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. This guide shows the simple method and includes a free calculator you can use right now.
Free Working Hours Calculator
Enter start time, end time and unpaid break. Result is shown in hours and minutes.
Why accurate working hours matter
- Freelancers (US, UK, Canada): You need billable hours to create correct invoices and set rates.
- Employees: Overtime rules differ by country and state/province – accurate records protect you.
- Small businesses: Time tracking feeds into payroll, tax and project profitability.
Simple formula
Total hours = (End time − Start time) − Unpaid breaks
Example: Start 09:00, end 17:30, 30-minute lunch → 8 hours worked.
Billable vs non-billable hours
If you are a freelancer or consultant:
- Billable: Client meetings, design, coding, writing, research for a paid project.
- Non-billable: Admin, marketing, learning, unpaid calls.
Only billable hours usually go on the invoice. Track both so you know your real effective hourly rate.
Country notes (US, UK, Canada)
| Region | Key point |
|---|---|
| United States | Overtime often after 40 hours/week (federal). Some states have daily overtime rules. |
| United Kingdom | Working Time Regulations – average 48-hour week limit (can opt out). Rest breaks required. |
| Canada | Rules vary by province. Many provinces set standard hours and overtime thresholds. |
How to use a free online tool
- Open a free working hours or work logger tool.
- Enter start and end times for each day.
- Deduct breaks.
- Mark which hours are billable if you invoice clients.
- Export or copy totals into your invoice or timesheet.
Need a free, no-registration tool that also links hours to invoices?
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate hours worked with a break?
Subtract the unpaid break minutes from the total time between start and end. Example: 9:00–17:00 with 45 min break = 7 hours 15 minutes.
What is the difference between working hours and billable hours?
Working hours = all time at work. Billable hours = only the portion you can charge a client.
Can I use this for US, UK and Canadian freelancers?
Yes. The calculation method is the same. Local labour rules only affect overtime and legal limits, not the basic hours formula.
This page is for guidance only and is not legal or tax advice. Check local regulations for overtime and record-keeping requirements.
0 Comments