Timesheet Generator
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Generate a printable timesheet template — weekly or biweekly, with your name, pay period dates, and daily rows pre-filled — copy into Excel or print, no watermarks or paid downloads.
Quick answer: Pick weekly/biweekly, enter the period start date and your details — the generator outputs a dated timesheet grid (date, in, lunch, out, daily total) ready to print or paste into a spreadsheet. The companion time card calculator does the hour math when it's filled in.
What a Compliant Timesheet Captures
| Field | Why it's there |
|---|---|
| Date + day | FLSA/record rules want per-day records, not weekly blobs |
| Time in / out | Actual punches — rounding happens after, per the 7-minute rule |
| Lunch/break deduction | Unpaid meal periods subtract; short rest breaks don't (US federal) |
| Daily total | Decimal hours for payroll — the minutes-to-decimal chart converts |
| Weekly total + OT line | Overtime triggers at 40 (weekly) — and daily in CA/AK/etc. |
| Signatures | Employee + supervisor lines make it an auditable record |
Why Paper/Spreadsheet Timesheets Still Exist
Small teams, job sites without connectivity, backup during system outages, and contractor invoicing all still run on them — and record-keeping laws (FLSA: 2-3 years of time records; similar elsewhere) accept any accurate format. The failure mode isn't the medium, it's unsigned, gap-filled, Friday-reconstructed sheets — generate per period, fill daily, sign weekly.
Filling It Right
- Record actual times, not scheduled ones — "9:00-5:00 every day" timesheets scream reconstruction in audits.
- Decimal totals: 7:45 = 7.75 (the converter handles oddballs).
- OT visibility: compute weekly totals BEFORE submitting — unpaid overtime found later becomes a back pay exercise.
- Keep copies: your own photo/scan of every signed sheet is the cheapest wage-dispute insurance there is.
From Template to Paycheck
The pipeline: this template (capture) → time card calculator (daily/weekly math with lunch deductions) → overtime calculator (premium hours) → gross pay. For employers: this format satisfies basic record rules, but growing teams should graduate to punch systems — reconstructed paper is the #1 losing evidence in wage claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a timesheet?
Generate the dated grid above (weekly/biweekly), print or paste into a spreadsheet, record actual in/out/lunch times daily, total in decimal hours, and sign.
What should a timesheet include?
Per-day date, actual in/out times, unpaid break deductions, daily decimal totals, a weekly total with overtime identified, and signature lines.
How long must timesheets be kept?
US FLSA: at least 2 years for time records (3 for payroll records); similar multi-year rules apply in most countries — keep personal copies too.
How do I convert timesheet hours for payroll?
Minutes ÷ 60 into decimals (7:45 → 7.75) — payroll systems take decimal hours; the site's converters handle every edge.
Are handwritten timesheets legal?
Yes — any accurate, contemporaneous record qualifies; the legal risk is reconstruction and missing signatures, not the medium.
When does overtime apply on a timesheet?
Over 40 hours in the workweek federally (and daily in California and several states) — total each week before submission so OT is visible and paid.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026