5/8 Work Schedule Calculator
5/8 Work Schedule Calculator
Plan a classic 5-day, 8-hour work week. See your shift end time, weekly hours, break time and estimated pay in seconds.
What is a 5/8 work schedule?
A 5/8 work schedule means you work five days a week, eight hours a day, for a total of 40 hours per week. It is the classic full-time pattern used in offices, banks, schools, retail stores, factories and government departments around the world. Standard office hours like 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM are built around this pattern, and the phrase "9-to-5" is really just a 5/8 schedule with a short lunch break.
Because the 5/8 is the most common schedule, most labour laws, payroll systems and salary contracts are designed around it. Full-time status, overtime rules, and leave entitlements usually assume a 40-hour week, so understanding how a 5/8 works — including break time, paid hours, and total weekly earnings — helps you check your payslip, compare job offers and plan your week with confidence.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the time your shift normally starts. Most 5/8 shifts begin at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM.
- Type how many paid hours you work per shift. The standard for a 5/8 is 8 hours.
- 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 5/8 pattern.
- Add your hourly rate if you want pay estimates, then press Calculate.
Quick facts about 5/8 schedules
- Standard week: 5 days × 8 hours = 40 paid hours.
- With a 30-minute unpaid lunch, you stay at work 8.5 hours per day.
- Yearly total: about 2,080 paid hours before vacation and public holidays.
- 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 reference pattern that 4/10, 9/80, 3/12 and 4/12 schedules are compared against.
- The phrase "9 to 5" refers to a 5/8 schedule with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
Who is this calculator for?
- Office, bank, school and government workers on standard daytime hours
- Retail and customer service staff on fixed 8-hour shifts
- Factory and warehouse teams on day shifts
- Job seekers comparing a 5/8 offer with a 4/10, 9/80 or 4/12 offer
- HR teams, payroll staff and schedulers checking weekly hours
- Anyone who wants to know exactly when their shift ends and how many paid hours they earn per week
Why the 5/8 schedule matters
- It is the worldwide baseline for full-time work, so overtime, benefits, leave and pension 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 employers expect when they quote an annual salary, so it is the right yardstick for comparing job offers.
- Because break time varies (some paid, some unpaid), knowing your exact paid hours per shift matters more than the hours you spend on site.
Conclusion
A 5/8 schedule gives you eight-hour days, two full rest days every week, and a familiar routine that fits naturally around family, study and life outside work. Use this calculator to confirm your shift end time, weekly and yearly paid hours, break impact and estimated earnings, and to compare a standard 5/8 offer with compressed patterns like 4/10, 9/80 or 4/12 before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is a 5/8 shift?
A 5/8 shift is 8 hours of paid work per day, five days a week. That is 40 hours a week, or about 2,080 paid hours a year before vacation and public holidays.
Is a 5/8 schedule full time?
Yes. In most countries, 40 hours a week is the standard definition of full-time work, and a 5/8 schedule is the most common way to reach it.
When does overtime start on a 5/8 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 lunch break you stay at work 8.5 hours and are paid for 8. With a 60-minute unpaid lunch, you stay 9 hours and are paid for 8. If your break is paid, you stay 8 hours and are paid for 8.
Is 5/8 better than 4/10 or 9/80?
It depends on you. A 5/8 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 prefer 5/8 for the daily balance; others prefer compressed patterns for extra days off.
How many days off do you get on a 5/8 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 5/8 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.
Does the phrase "9 to 5" mean a 5/8 schedule?
Yes, in practice. A traditional 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM job is a 5/8 schedule with a short lunch break. The paid time is still 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week.
How many hours a year is a 5/8 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.