The 7-Minute Rule: How Quarter-Hour Time Rounding Works
Under the 7-minute rule, clock times are rounded to the nearest 15 minutes: 1 to 7 minutes round down and 8 to 14 minutes round up. Here's how it works, when it's legal, and how it changes your paycheck.
Updated October 30, 2026 · 6 min read
Time rounding calculator
What is the 7-minute rule?
The 7-minute rule is a common payroll practice for rounding employee clock-in and clock-out times to the nearest quarter hour (15 minutes). The "7" comes from the halfway point: anything up to 7 minutes past a quarter hour is rounded back, and anything from 8 minutes on is rounded forward.
7-minute rule chart
| Minutes past the hour | Rounded to | Decimal |
|---|---|---|
| :00 – :07 | :00 | .00 |
| :08 – :22 | :15 | .25 |
| :23 – :37 | :30 | .50 |
| :38 – :52 | :45 | .75 |
| :53 – :59 | next hour :00 | .00 |
Examples: 8:07 AM rounds to 8:00 AM. 8:08 AM rounds to 8:15 AM. 4:52 PM rounds to 4:45 PM. 4:53 PM rounds to 5:00 PM.
Is the 7-minute rule legal?
At the federal level, yes, with a condition. Department of Labor rules allow employers to round to the nearest 5 minutes, tenth of an hour, or quarter hour, as long as the rounding is neutral and averages out so employees are paid for all the time they actually work over a period.
What is not allowed is rounding that always favors the employer, such as always rounding clock-ins up and clock-outs down. That can lead to unpaid wage claims.
Some states and courts are stricter. In California, for example, courts have limited rounding, especially around meal breaks. If you're an employer, check your state's rules or ask an employment attorney.
How rounding changes a day's hours
| Actual | Rounded (15 min) | |
|---|---|---|
| Clock in | 7:56 AM | 8:00 AM |
| Lunch out | 12:04 PM | 12:00 PM |
| Lunch in | 12:33 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Clock out | 4:38 PM | 4:45 PM |
| Hours worked | 8:13 (8.22 h) | 8:15 (8.25 h) |
Here the employee gains 2 minutes. On another day they might lose a few. Over weeks, neutral rounding should roughly even out.
The 6-minute rule (tenth of an hour)
Some employers and most law firms round to the nearest 6 minutes, because 6 minutes is exactly 0.1 hour. Minutes 1–2 round down, and 3–5 round up to the next 6-minute mark.
| Minutes | Decimal | Minutes | Decimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 2 | 0.0 | 27 – 32 | 0.5 |
| 3 – 8 | 0.1 | 33 – 38 | 0.6 |
| 9 – 14 | 0.2 | 39 – 44 | 0.7 |
| 15 – 20 | 0.3 | 45 – 50 | 0.8 |
| 21 – 26 | 0.4 | 51 – 56 | 0.9 |
| 57 – 60 | 1.0 |
Tips for employees
- Keep your own record of actual clock times, even if your employer rounds.
- Compare your records with your pay stub every few weeks. Use the time to decimal calculator to check totals.
- If rounding always seems to cut your time, ask HR how it works or contact your state labor department.
Tips for employers
- Round both up and down using the same rule for every punch.
- Don't round in a way that cuts time employees actually worked, and don't discipline people for clocking in a few minutes early if you also round those minutes away.
- Many payroll systems can track exact minutes. Paying exact time avoids rounding disputes entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 7-minute rule for payroll?
It's a way of rounding clock times to the nearest 15 minutes. 1 to 7 minutes past a quarter hour round down, and 8 to 14 minutes round up.
Does 8:07 round to 8:00 or 8:15?
Under the 7-minute rule, 8:07 rounds down to 8:00. 8:08 rounds up to 8:15.
Is the 7-minute rule a law?
No. It's a rounding method that federal rules allow, not a requirement. Employers can also pay exact minutes. Rounding must be neutral and not consistently underpay workers.
Can my employer always round my time down?
Rounding that always favors the employer is generally not allowed under federal rules, because over time it fails to pay employees for all hours worked.
What is 6-minute rounding?
Rounding to the nearest tenth of an hour. Each 6 minutes equals 0.1 hours, so 3 to 8 minutes counts as 0.1 hours.
Related tools and guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Wage and hour rules vary by state.