Hours & Time Tracking Calculator
Break Time Deduction Calculator
Calculate gross pay after deducting unpaid break time, with a toggle for paid vs unpaid breaks and the dollar value of the deduction.
What this calculator does
- Built on official FLSA federal labor standards (29 CFR Part 541).
- 100% free, no signup — calculations run instantly in your browser.
- Results include a plain-English interpretation of what the numbers mean.
Break Details
$
Pay After Deduction
Enter your break details.
$0.00
Gross pay
Paid hours0
Deducted hours0
Deduction amount$0.00
Disclaimer. All results are for reference only and are not professional legal or payroll advice. Calculations reflect the FLSA rule restored May 15, 2026 (29 CFR Part 541). State rules may impose stricter requirements.
How this calculation works
Under FLSA, only bona fide meal breaks of 30 minutes or more — where the employee is completely relieved of duty — may be unpaid. Short rest breaks (5–20 minutes) are paid working time.
A "working lunch" where the employee remains on duty is paid time. Misclassifying paid breaks as unpaid is one of the most common FLSA compliance errors and a frequent source of back-wage claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can employers deduct break time from pay?
Only true meal breaks of 30+ minutes where the employee is fully relieved of duty can be unpaid. Short rest breaks (5–20 minutes) must be paid under FLSA.
What if I have to work through my lunch?
If you are not completely relieved of duty during a meal break (a "working lunch"), the time must be paid and counts toward hours worked — and potentially overtime.
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