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Time-clock rounding · FLSA · 20267-Minute Rule Calculator
Enter your real clock-in and clock-out. See exactly how they round to the nearest 15 minutes under the FLSA 7-minute rule — and whether the rounding helped you or cost you on this shift.
Type 24-hour (0807, 1708) or standard time with am/pm (8:07am, 5:08pm). Overnight shifts are handled.
What is the 7-minute rule?
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are allowed to round employees' clock times to the nearest quarter-hour (15 minutes). The "7-minute rule" is how that rounding works: if your punch falls in the first 7 minutes after a quarter-hour, it rounds down; from 8 to 14 minutes, it rounds up to the next quarter-hour.
You clock out at 5:08 (17:08) → rounds up to 5:15 (you "gain" 7 more min).
Punch in at 8:08 instead → rounds up to 8:15 (you "lose" 8 min).
The rounding windows
Every clock time falls into one of these 15-minute windows and rounds to the time shown:
| If your clock minutes are… | They round to |
|---|---|
| :53 – :07 | :00 (the hour) |
| :08 – :22 | :15 |
| :23 – :37 | :30 |
| :38 – :52 | :45 |
Is it legal — and is it fair?
Rounding to the nearest 15 minutes is legal under federal law, but it must be neutral: over many shifts it has to average out, not systematically shortchange you. If your employer always rounds your time down, that can violate the FLSA. Several states limit rounding — California courts have moved against it for meal periods and beyond — so check your state's rules. This tool shows you, shift by shift, which way the rounding went.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 7-minute rule?
An FLSA timekeeping practice: employers round clock times to the nearest 15 minutes. Minutes 1–7 past a quarter-hour round down; 8–14 round up. So 8:07 → 8:00 and 8:08 → 8:15.
Is the 7-minute rounding rule legal?
Yes federally, if it's neutral over time and doesn't consistently favor the employer. Some states (e.g. California) restrict it — check your state.
Does rounding have to be in the employee's favor?
No — it must be neutral, averaging to roughly zero. Always being rounded down may be unlawful. This calculator flags whether a shift went for or against you.
What does 8:08 round to?
8:15 — eight minutes is at the round-up threshold. 8:07 rounds down to 8:00.
Is it free?
Yes — free, no sign-up, runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.