Work Hours Log: What to Record and How to Keep One
Published
A work hours log is a simple record of when you worked, for how long and for whom. It takes seconds to keep and it is the document that settles most pay questions. If you've ever had to say "I'm pretty sure I worked Thursday," a log is how you replace "pretty sure" with proof.
What a work hours log should include
- Date. One line per shift.
- Start and end time. The real times, not the scheduled ones.
- Unpaid break. In minutes.
- Total hours. Start to end minus the break.
- Job or client. Needed if you have more than one.
- Notes. A short reason for anything unusual: a late start, a covered shift, an early release.
A sample work hours log
| Date | Start | End | Break | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8:00 AM | 4:30 PM | 30 min | 8:00 |
| Tue | 8:00 AM | 5:15 PM | 30 min | 8:45 |
| Wed | 9:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 30 min | 7:30 |
| Thu | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM | 30 min | 7:30 |
| Fri | 8:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 0 min | 4:30 |
The weekly total is 8:00 + 8:45 + 7:30 + 7:30 + 4:30, which is 36 hours 15 minutes, or 36.25 in decimal hours. The hours and minutes calculator adds columns like this for you.
Paper, spreadsheet or app?
A paper log is free and simple, but you must add everything yourself. A spreadsheet adds the math for you but depends on you opening it every day. An app records the times when you tap and keeps everything in one place. Whichever you choose, keep it up to date. See how often to log your hours.
Common mistakes
- Writing it all at the end of the week. Times get rounded and short shifts get forgotten.
- Skipping breaks. If you don't record them, you can't be sure your totals are right.
- Rounding every shift up or down. Over a year, small habits add up. See what timesheet mistakes cost you.
- Mixing jobs in one list. Keep a separate lane for each. More in how to track hours across different jobs.
When you'll be glad you kept one
A short paycheck, a disputed invoice, a tax question, an application that asks for your work history: in each case, a clear log saves you hours. Here's how to prove your hours worked.
Let your phone keep the log
Hours Tracker Time Clock turns each clock in and clock out into a log entry, calculates your total, and lets you export your hours as a timesheet. You can also add a missed shift by hand.
Start your log today
Download it on the App Store or Google Play, or print a free timesheet and start with today's shift.