Break Time Calculator
Pick your shift length and state. The calculator shows which meal and rest breaks you're owed, how much is paid vs. unpaid, and how many net hours you actually work.
Shift Length
State
Age Group
Minors often have stricter break requirements, even in states with no adult break laws.
Industry
Some states have different break rules by industry (e.g., New York factory workers get a 60-minute lunch instead of 30).
State-Specific Notes
Select a state to see applicable break law details.
Not legal advice. Laws may change. Consult your state labor department or an employment attorney for specifics.
Log Shifts and Breaks on Your Phone
Hours44 records your clock-in/out times, figures out your breaks, and shows what you actually take home.
Federal break time rules: what the FLSA actually requires
Here is the part that catches most people off guard: the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require employers to give adult employees any breaks at all. No meal break, no rest break, nothing. Two federal regulations do matter, though, because they control what happens when an employer does offer breaks:
- 29 CFR 785.18 (Rest periods): Short breaks of 5 to 20 minutes count as paid work time. Your employer cannot dock your pay for a quick bathroom or coffee break.
- 29 CFR 785.19 (Meal periods): A meal break of 30+ minutes can be unpaid, but only if you are completely free of duties. If you have to stay at your desk, answer calls, or keep an eye on equipment, that "break" is paid time.
Because the federal floor is zero, about 21 states have written their own rules. California, Washington, and Colorado require both meal and rest breaks. Others only cover meals, and some only protect minors.
State break laws at a glance
Only about a third of states spell out break requirements. If your state is not in this table, federal rules apply, which means no mandated breaks for adults.
| State | Meal Break | After | Rest Break | Per | Paid Rest? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal (FLSA) | Not required | -- | Not required | -- | -- |
| California | 30 min | 5 hrs | 10 min | 4 hrs | Yes |
| Colorado | 30 min | 5 hrs | 10 min | 4 hrs | Yes |
| Connecticut | 30 min | 7.5 hrs | None | -- | -- |
| Delaware | 30 min | 7.5 hrs | None | -- | -- |
| Florida | Not required | -- | None | -- | -- |
| Illinois | 20 min | 7.5 hrs | None | -- | -- |
| Kentucky | 30 min* | varies | 10 min | 4 hrs | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 30 min | 6 hrs | None | -- | -- |
| Minnesota | 30 min* | 8 hrs | 15 min | 4 hrs | Yes |
| Nevada | 30 min | 8 hrs | 10 min | 4 hrs | Yes |
| New York | 30-60 min | 6 hrs | None | -- | -- |
| Oregon | 30 min | 6 hrs | 10 min | 4 hrs | Yes |
| Washington | 30 min | 5 hrs | 10 min | 4 hrs | Yes |
* Kentucky uses "reasonable period" and Minnesota uses "sufficient time to eat." Both are interpreted as approximately 30 minutes.
Break totals by shift length (California example)
California's break rules are stricter than most states. The table below shows how breaks add up for common shift lengths there:
| Shift | Meal Breaks | Rest Breaks | Total | Paid | Unpaid | Net Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 hrs | 0 x 30 min | 1 x 10 min | 10 min | 10 min | 0 min | 4h 00m |
| 6 hrs | 1 x 30 min | 1 x 10 min | 40 min | 10 min | 30 min | 5h 30m |
| 8 hrs | 1 x 30 min | 2 x 10 min | 50 min | 20 min | 30 min | 7h 30m |
| 10 hrs | 2 x 30 min | 2 x 10 min | 80 min | 20 min | 60 min | 9h 00m |
| 12 hrs | 2 x 30 min | 3 x 10 min | 90 min | 30 min | 60 min | 11h 00m |
Meal breaks vs. rest breaks: how they differ
- Length: Meal breaks run 20 to 60 minutes depending on the state. Rest breaks are shorter, usually 10 to 15 minutes.
- Pay: Meal breaks are usually unpaid as long as you are fully off-duty. Rest breaks are almost always paid.
- Duty relief: A meal break can only be unpaid if you are completely free of work. If you have to stay at your station or be on-call, your employer must pay you for that time.
- Timing: Rest breaks go near the middle of each 4-hour block. Meal breaks kick in after a set number of hours (5 or 6 in most states).
- On-duty meals: A few states allow paid on-duty meal breaks when the job makes it impossible to leave. This usually requires a written agreement.
Break rights for minors (under 18)
Even in states that give adults zero break protections, minors usually get something. A lot of workers and parents don't realize this.
- Florida, Indiana, Tennessee, and Wisconsin have no adult break laws, yet all four require a 30-minute break for minors after 4 to 6 hours.
- Oregon bumps minor rest breaks to 15 minutes instead of the 10 that adults get.
- When federal and state rules overlap, the employer must follow whichever one protects the worker more.
- Child labor laws and break laws sometimes cover the same ground. Check both for your state.
You can toggle between adult and minor in the calculator above to compare requirements side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about break time laws and what you're owed
Does federal law require employers to give breaks?
No. The FLSA has no break requirement for adults. If an employer does offer short breaks (5 to 20 minutes), those must be paid. Beyond that, about 21 states fill the gap with their own laws.
How many breaks do I get in an 8-hour shift?
That depends entirely on your state. A California 8-hour shift gets one 30-minute meal break and two 10-minute rest breaks, 50 minutes total. In Texas or Florida (for adults), the answer is zero, because those states have no break law on the books.
Are meal breaks paid or unpaid?
A meal break of 30 minutes or more can be unpaid, but only if you are fully relieved of duties. If you have to answer phones, watch a register, or stay at your station, the whole period counts as paid time. Short rest breaks (5 to 20 minutes) are always paid.
What happens if my employer doesn't give me required breaks?
It varies. California employers owe you one extra hour of pay (called premium pay) for each missed meal break and each missed rest break in a workday. Other states handle it through fines or let you file a complaint with the state labor department.
Do minors (under 18) get more breaks than adults?
Usually. Several states with no adult break law still require breaks for workers under 18. Florida is a good example: adults get nothing, but minors must get a 30-minute break every 4 hours. Check your state's child labor laws for details.
Can I waive my meal break?
Sometimes. In California, you can skip the first meal break if your shift is 6 hours or less and both you and your employer agree. For shifts over 10 hours, you can waive the second meal break if the shift is 12 hours or under and you took the first one. Other states have different rules.
What is the difference between a meal break and a rest break?
Meal breaks are longer (30 to 60 minutes) and usually unpaid, as long as you are fully off-duty. Rest breaks are 10 to 15 minutes, almost always paid, and should fall near the middle of each 4-hour work block.
Do break requirements change for 10-hour or 12-hour shifts?
Yes. Longer shifts mean more breaks. In California, going past 10 hours adds a second 30-minute meal break and a third 10-minute rest break. Washington also requires a second meal break after 10 hours. Check the rules for your state and shift length.
Need More Than a Quick Calculation?
Hours44 tracks your shifts, calculates overtime automatically, and shows your real take-home pay.