How a quarter hour, a tenth, or five minutes can be rounded
29 CFR 785.48(b) allows rounding to the nearest 5 minutes, tenth, or quarter hour if the practice averages out and does not fail to pay for all time actually worked. DOL Fact Sheet 53 says that for quarter-hour rounding, 1 to 7 minutes may be rounded down and 8 to 14 minutes must be rounded up.
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Convert minutes without rounding on the decimal-hours page. Apply weekly overtime on the overtime calculator after you have a total.
At a glance
| Method | What the cited sources say |
|---|---|
| Quarter hour, Fact Sheet 53 | 1 to 7 minutes down; 8 to 14 minutes up |
| Also mentioned in 29 CFR 785.48(b) | Nearest 5 minutes; nearest tenth of an hour |
| Always rounding down | Can violate the Act |
Federal regulation 29 CFR 785.48(b) says employers may record start and stop times to the nearest 5 minutes, the nearest tenth of an hour, or the nearest quarter of an hour, provided the practice averages out and does not result, over a period of time, in a failure to pay for all time actually worked. DOL Fact Sheet 53, in a health-care hours discussion of that rule, states that for quarter-hour rounding, 1 to 7 minutes may be rounded down and 8 to 14 minutes must be rounded up. Always rounding down can violate the Act. This tool demonstrates those methods. It is not a ruling on your employer's policy, and it is not legal advice.
Rounding demonstration
Sources
Common questions
Can an employer always round a time clock down?
No. Always rounding down can violate the Act. The practice must average out and must not result, over a period of time, in a failure to pay for all time actually worked.
How does quarter-hour rounding work in Fact Sheet 53?
1 to 7 minutes may be rounded down and 8 to 14 minutes must be rounded up.
What increments does 29 CFR 785.48(b) mention?
The nearest 5 minutes, the nearest tenth of an hour, or the nearest quarter of an hour.
Is this tool a ruling on my employer’s policy?
No. It demonstrates those methods. It is not legal advice.