RechnerpediaHow to use the calculator
Enter start, end and break length in minutes for each working day. The calculator subtracts the break from your time at work and adds up the week, both in hours and minutes (such as 38:45) and as a decimal number (38.75), which many time-tracking systems and timesheets in Germany ask for. With your contractual hours you also see overtime or missing hours.
Which rules the calculator checks
The Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz, ArbZG) applies to employees aged 18 and over. The calculator flags three basic rules:
- Breaks (§ 4 ArbZG): for more than six and up to nine hours of work, at least 30 minutes of break are required; for more than nine hours, at least 45 minutes. Breaks can be split into blocks of at least 15 minutes.
- Maximum hours (§ 3 ArbZG): eight hours per working day are the rule. Up to ten hours are allowed if the average over six months does not exceed eight hours per working day.
- Rest period (§ 5 ArbZG): there must be at least eleven hours between the end of work and the next start. The calculator checks this for consecutive days.
Different rules apply in sectors such as hospitals, hospitality and agriculture, under collective agreements, and for young people under the Youth Employment Protection Act. The calculator’s notes are a guide, not a legal assessment.
Converting hours and minutes correctly
A common mistake: 7 hours 30 minutes is not 7.30 but 7.5 hours. Divide the minutes by 60 to get the decimal part.
| Minutes | Decimal | Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | 0.08 | 10 min | 0.17 |
| 15 min | 0.25 | 20 min | 0.33 |
| 25 min | 0.42 | 30 min | 0.5 |
| 35 min | 0.58 | 40 min | 0.67 |
| 45 min | 0.75 | 50 min | 0.83 |
Time recording in Germany
On 13 September 2022 the Federal Labour Court ruled (1 ABR 22/21) that employers must set up a system to record working time. No specific law yet sets out exactly how this has to be done. This calculator does not replace your employer’s time recording, but it helps you check your hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my working time with a break?
Subtract the start from the end, then subtract the break. Example: 08:00 to 16:30 is 8 hours 30 minutes at work; minus a 30-minute break leaves 8 hours of working time.
Do breaks count as working time in Germany?
Statutory rest breaks do not count as working time and are usually unpaid. Different arrangements, such as paid short breaks under a collective agreement, are possible.
How many hours may I work per day in Germany?
Eight hours as a rule, up to ten in exceptional cases if the average over six months stays at eight hours per working day. Working days are Monday to Saturday.
Are my times stored?
No. The calculation runs only in your browser. When you reload the page, the inputs are gone. Use “Copy result” or “Print” if you want to keep the week.