Ca Meal Break Calculator

Use our California Meal Break Calculator to determine the correct meal break duration for employees based on hours worked. This tool helps employers and employees understand their rights under California labor laws.

How to Use This Calculator

To calculate your California meal break requirements:

Enter the total hours worked in the "Hours Worked" field
Select whether the employee is exempt or non-exempt
Click "Calculate" to see the required meal break duration

The calculator will display the minimum meal break time required based on California labor laws.

Formula Used

California labor laws require employers to provide meal breaks to non-exempt employees based on the hours worked. The formula used is:

Meal Break Duration (minutes) = IF (Hours Worked ≥ 5 AND Hours Worked < 6) THEN 30 ELSE IF (Hours Worked ≥ 6) THEN 45 ELSE 0

For exempt employees, meal breaks are not required by law.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Non-exempt employee working 5 hours

Calculation: 5 hours ≥ 5 → 30 minutes meal break required

Example 2: Non-exempt employee working 6 hours

Calculation: 6 hours ≥ 6 → 45 minutes meal break required

Example 3: Exempt employee working 6 hours

Calculation: Exempt employees do not require meal breaks

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a meal break in California?

California law requires non-exempt employees to receive a 30-minute meal break after working 5 hours and a 45-minute meal break after working 6 hours.

Do exempt employees get meal breaks?

No, exempt employees are not required to receive meal breaks under California labor laws.

Can meal breaks be paid or unpaid?

Meal breaks must be paid time off for non-exempt employees. Employers cannot require employees to work through their meal breaks.