How to track hours worked and check if your paycheck is right

Step 1: Record start and end times as they happen

Write down the actual clock-in and clock-out times, not just "8 hours." Times recorded in the moment are far more reliable than ones reconstructed at the end of the week. Log your breaks the same way, and keep track of which entries you added later so you know which ones were recorded live.

Step 2: Subtract unpaid breaks and convert minutes

Hours worked = clock-out − clock-in − unpaid breaks. From 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a 30-minute unpaid lunch is 8 hours. To multiply by your hourly rate, convert minutes to decimal hours by dividing by 60: 7 hours 12 minutes is 7.2 hours.

Step 3: Match the pay period, not the calendar

Your paycheck covers a specific pay period that may close days before payday. If you're paid every other Friday for the two weeks ending the previous Saturday, add up only the shifts inside those dates. Adding up "this month" will almost never match.

Step 4: Compare gross pay, not take-home pay

Multiply regular hours by your rate, add overtime and any premiums or shift differentials, and compare the result with the gross pay on your pay stub. The amount deposited is net pay — after taxes and deductions — so it will be lower. Tips may be reported separately depending on how your employer handles them.

Also check rounding. Under federal rules, employers may round clock times (for example to the nearest 5, 6 or 15 minutes) only if the rounding is neutral over time and doesn't consistently cut hours.

If the numbers don't match

• Line up your log and the pay stub day by day to find exactly which shifts differ.
• Check for differences in rounding, break deductions or the workweek start day.
• Share your timesheet with your manager or payroll and ask them to review it. Dated entries with times are the strongest evidence.
• If it isn't resolved, you can contact your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.

Track it with Punchly

Punchly records each clock-in and clock-out with one tap, subtracts unpaid breaks, applies your rounding and overtime rules, and totals hours and estimated pay for the pay period you set. Every entry shows whether it came from the button, a picked time or was added by hand, and you can share a timesheet or export CSV to show whoever is paying you.

Not payroll or legal advice

This guide is general information about tracking hours and estimating pay. It is not payroll, tax or legal advice. Overtime and pay rules differ by country, state, industry and employment agreement. If you're unsure about your situation, check with your employer's payroll team, your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.