When the shift crosses midnight
A shift that starts at 22:00 and ends at 06:00 is 8 hours before breaks, even though the end time looks earlier than the start. The tool adds 24 hours when the end is not later than the start, then subtracts unpaid breaks. Overtime still follows the employer's fixed workweek, not midnight itself.
Updated .
The same start-and-end math is on the shift-length calculator. Weekly overtime is on the overtime page. Two jobs are explained separately.
At a glance
| Example or rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 22:00 to 06:00 | 8 hours before breaks |
| End earlier than start | Add 24 hours, then subtract breaks |
| Federal overtime week | The employer’s fixed workweek, not midnight itself |
A shift that starts at 22:00 and ends at 06:00 is 8 hours on the clock before breaks, even though the end time looks earlier than the start. Check the overnight box, or enter the end time; the tool adds 24 hours when the end is not later than the start. Which calendar day an hour belongs to for overtime still depends on your employer's fixed workweek, not on midnight itself. Federal overtime is calculated on that workweek, not on a single calendar day, unless a state law says otherwise.
Overnight shift length
Sources
Common questions
How long is a 22:00 to 06:00 shift?
8 hours before unpaid breaks. The tool adds 24 hours when the end time is not later than the start.
Does midnight start a new federal overtime week?
Not by itself. Federal overtime is calculated on the employer’s fixed workweek, not on a single calendar day, unless a state law says otherwise.
Does this page decide overtime?
No. It counts the length of one overnight shift. Weekly overtime is on the overtime page.
Is this legal advice?
No. State rules can differ, and the workweek is set by the employer under the federal rule.