How to Calculate Night Shift Hours
Calculating payroll for the "Graveyard Shift" (also known as Third Shift) is tricky because the workday starts on one calendar day and ends on the next. If you work from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, standard math suggests you worked negative hours. This tool fixes that.
1. The "Midnight Crossing" Problem
Most basic calculators confuse AM and PM when the day changes. MyShiftCalc uses a smart algorithm: if your "Time Out" is earlier than your "Time In," we automatically assume you worked overnight and add 24 hours to the calculation logic.
- Example: In: 10:00 PM | Out: 6:00 AM
- Result: 8.00 Hours (Correct)
2. Calculating Shift Differentials
Night shift workers often receive a "Shift Differential"—extra pay per hour for working unsociable hours. For example, your base rate might be $17.00/hr, but the night rate is +$1.50/hr.
How to enter this:
In the Hourly Rate box above, enter your combined rate (Base + Differential).
Example: $17.00 + $1.50 = Enter 18.50.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I calculate hours that cross midnight?
Simply enter your start time (PM) and end time (AM). Our calculator automatically detects the date change and calculates the correct duration.
2. What is a 3rd shift differential?
Many employers pay extra (e.g., +$1.00/hr) for overnight work. Enter your 'Differential Rate' in the hourly rate box to see your accurate gross pay.
3. Does this work for 4-day work weeks?
Yes. You can leave days blank if you work a compressed schedule (e.g., four 10-hour shifts).