What is an unpaid lunch break?

An unpaid lunch break is a designated period of time where an employee is completely relieved from duties to eat, and that time does not count toward their total paid hours for the day.

Are breaks included in total hours worked?

It depends on your employer's policy. Generally, short 15-minute breaks are paid and included in total hours, while 30-minute or 1-hour lunch breaks are unpaid and subtracted from total hours.

Business Tool

Lunch Break Calculator

Find out exactly how many net hours you worked after accounting for your break.

Lunch Break Calculator

Calculate your net work hours based on your lunch break policy.

Start time

9:00 AM

End time

5:00 PM

Break duration (minutes)

Is this a paid break?

Shift Summary

Total Shift Length: 8.00 hr
Break Status: -0.50 hr Unpaid
Net Work Hours: 7.50 hr
7 hours 30 minutes

Frequently asked questions

What is an unpaid lunch break?: An unpaid lunch break is a designated period of time where an employee is completely relieved from duties to eat, and that time does not count toward their total paid hours for the day.
Are breaks included in total hours worked?: It depends on your employer's policy. Generally, short 15-minute breaks are paid and included in total hours, while 30-minute or 1-hour lunch breaks are unpaid and subtracted from total hours.

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