If you bill by the hour, real-time logs are your safety net when clients question invoices or when tax season hits. Unlike spreadsheets, this tracker time-stamps every entry in your browser—nothing leaves your device.

1. Using the calculator

1. Pick the date.
2. Enter start, end and unpaid break.
3. Set your hourly rate and overtime multiplier (1.5× is federal minimum).
4. Click “Add row”. Running totals appear for day, week and month.
5. Hit “Export CSV” or “Export PDF” to download an invoice-ready file.

2. Overtime rules at a glance (U.S.)

Federal law (FLSA) requires 1.5× pay after 40 h in a work-week. California adds 1.5× after 8 h in a day and 2× after 12 h. New York still uses the 40-hour gate but adds “spread-of-hours” pay in some industries. Add custom multipliers in the tool to match your state.

3. Record-keeping tip

The U.S. Department of Labor can request detailed wage records going back two years. Your exported CSV includes date, hours, rate and gross pay—enough to satisfy an audit if you ever file a wage claim.

4. Freelancer tax buffer

1099 workers owe self-employment tax. Add 15 % to your desired net rate when you set the hourly figure; the tracker will show gross earnings that already factor in the extra tax bite.

Back up the CSV weekly and clear browser data after you archive the month to keep information private.