5/40 Work Schedule Calculator
5/40 Work Schedule Calculator
Plan a standard 5-day, 40-hour work week. See your shift end time, weekly hours, days off and estimated pay in seconds.
What is a 5/40 work schedule?
A 5/40 work schedule is the standard full-time pattern: five working days per week, eight hours per day, for a total of 40 paid hours. It is the default schedule across most offices, banks, schools, retail chains, government departments and factories around the world. Weekends are usually free, overtime typically starts after you cross 40 hours in a single week, and it is the reference point that compressed patterns like 4/10, 9/80 and 3/12 are compared against.
Because the 5/40 is so widely used, payroll, overtime rules and full-time definitions in most countries are built around it. Knowing exactly what your 5/40 week looks like — shift end time, weekly total, monthly total and yearly total — makes it easier to compare job offers, check payslips and plan your week.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the time your shift normally starts. Most 5/40 shifts begin at 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning.
- Type how many paid hours you work per shift. The standard is 8 hours, but part-time or extended schedules can be entered too.
- Add your unpaid break in minutes, or tick the checkbox if your break is paid.
- Select the five days you work. Mon–Fri is the standard 5/40 pattern.
- Add your hourly rate if you want pay estimates, then press Calculate.
Quick facts about 5/40 schedules
- Standard week: 5 days × 8 hours = 40 paid hours.
- With a 30-minute unpaid break, you stay at work 8.5 hours per day.
- Yearly total: about 2,080 paid hours before overtime.
- Overtime usually starts after 40 hours in one week, often paid at 1.5× the normal rate.
- Two consecutive days off per week is the standard rest pattern.
- It is the baseline pattern that 4/10, 9/80, 3/12 and 4/9 schedules are compared against.
Who is this calculator for?
- Office, retail and factory workers on a standard five-day week
- Job seekers comparing a 5/40 offer with a 4/10, 9/80 or 3/12 offer
- HR teams and payroll staff checking weekly and yearly working hours
- Students and part-timers tracking their weekly paid hours
- Anyone who wants to know exactly when their shift ends and whether overtime applies
Why the 5/40 schedule matters
- It is the legal and payroll baseline for full-time work in most countries, so overtime, benefits and leave rules usually key off it.
- Eight-hour days leave room for family, study, exercise and rest after work — a balance that compressed schedules often strain.
- Two days off in a row help recovery and make weekend plans, appointments and travel easier.
- Knowing your exact hours helps you verify your payslip, spot unpaid overtime and negotiate a fair offer.
- It is the schedule most employers expect when they quote an annual salary, so it is the right yardstick for comparing different offers.
Conclusion
A 5/40 schedule gives you eight-hour days and two full rest days every week, and it remains the standard reference point for full-time work worldwide. Use this calculator to confirm your shift end time, weekly and yearly hours and estimated pay, and to compare a standard 5/40 offer with compressed patterns like 4/10, 9/80 or 3/12 before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is a 5/40 shift?
A 5/40 shift is 8 hours of paid work per day, five days a week. That is 40 hours a week, or about 2,080 hours a year before any overtime.
Is 5/40 the same as full time?
In most countries, yes. A 40-hour week is the standard definition of full-time work, and a 5/40 schedule is the most common way to reach it.
When does overtime start on a 5/40 schedule?
Overtime normally starts after you pass 40 hours in a single week. Some places also apply daily overtime after 8 or 12 hours. Local labour law or your contract determines the exact rule.
How long is an 8-hour shift with a break?
With a 30-minute unpaid break you stay at work 8.5 hours and are paid for 8. If your break is paid, you stay at work 8 hours and are paid for 8.
Is 5/40 better than 4/10 or 9/80?
It depends on you. A 5/40 week has shorter days and two full rest days, which suits family life and study. A 4/10 gives three days off but longer shifts. A 9/80 gives one extra day off every two weeks with slightly longer days. Many people on a 5/40 prefer the daily balance; others on a 4/10 prefer the extra day off.
How many days off do you get on a 5/40 schedule?
Two days off per week, which is about 104 days off per year plus public holidays and paid leave, depending on your employer and country.
Can I work 5/40 and still get overtime pay?
Yes. Any hours over 40 in a week are usually paid at 1.5× your normal rate. Enter your hourly rate above to see an estimate of your weekly gross pay including overtime.
How many hours a year is a 5/40 schedule?
About 2,080 paid hours per year (40 hours × 52 weeks). Vacation days, public holidays and unpaid leave reduce the actual number of hours you work.