How to use this calculator
- Enter the original clock-in and clock-out times.
- Enter any unpaid break and the hourly rate used for the pay comparison.
- Compare exact time with the 5-minute, 6-minute, and 15-minute outcomes.
- Review the minute and pay differences against the applicable policy and rules before relying on them.
Input guide
Clock punches
Use the original unrounded start and end times, including overnight work where the end occurs the next day.
Unpaid break
Enter the break deducted from every comparison so only punch rounding changes.
Hourly rate
The rate is used only to estimate the monetary effect of gained or lost minutes.
How this calculator works
Exact paid minutes are compared with independently rounded clock-in and clock-out punches at 5-, 6-, and 15-minute intervals.
Worked example
An 08:07–16:53 shift with a 30-minute break can gain or lose minutes depending on the selected rounding interval.
How to interpret the result
A positive difference means the rounded result produces more paid minutes than exact punches; a negative difference means fewer paid minutes. The closest result has the smallest absolute difference, but that does not determine which policy should be used.
Rounding policy
Comparison precision
Each punch is rounded independently to the nearest selected interval before duration is calculated.
Assumptions and limitations
- Rounding uses nearest-interval arithmetic.
- The unpaid break is not rounded.
- Estimated pay difference uses the entered hourly rate.
Frequently asked questions
Does this decide whether rounding is legal?
No. It compares arithmetic outcomes only.
Are punches rounded separately?
Yes. Clock-in and clock-out are rounded independently.
Why can different intervals produce different results?
Each interval moves both punches to different nearest boundaries, which changes the final duration.
Is the smallest difference automatically the fairest policy?
No. Fairness and compliance require reviewing the full policy and applicable requirements.