Short answer
Check the raw punches first, then lunch deductions, rounding, missing punches, split shifts, overnight dates, and whether paid breaks were removed by mistake.
A time card can be wrong in two different ways: the total can be mathematically wrong, or the total can be right but based on the wrong rule. Separate those two before sending a correction request.
Open Time Card CalculatorThe fast way to diagnose it
Working rule: Correct time card total = each shift span - unpaid breaks + paid work outside normal shift.
Realistic example: A 46-hour raw schedule can become 43.5 paid hours after five 30-minute unpaid lunches; it can become 41.0 if lunch was deducted twice on five days.
Key checks
- Match every clock-in with a clock-out.
- Confirm lunch was deducted once per day, not twice.
- Review rounded punches beside raw punches.
- Check overnight shifts with dates attached.
Comparison table
| Look at | Why it matters | Useful tool |
|---|---|---|
| Source record | Prevents guessing from memory | Open Time Card Calculator |
| Rule or policy wording | Explains why two correct counts can differ | Time Card Troubleshooting |
| One changed line | Keeps the message focused | Time Card Looks Wrong |
How to read the result like a real record
A missing clock-out usually creates a visibly short or zero-hour shift.
A duplicate lunch deduction often hides as a neat 0.5-hour or 1.0-hour difference.
A rounding rule can create small daily differences that matter by Friday.
Copy this message
I recalculated the week from the raw punches and got a different total.
The possible issue looks like lunch deduction, rounding, or a missing punch.
Can we compare the raw punches with the paid-hour total before payroll closes?
What to attach or save
Key checks
- Screenshot or export of raw punches.
- Lunch entries or automatic deduction policy.
- Manual correction notes from the manager.
Mistakes that waste time
Key checks
- Do not calculate the full day from first in to last out when a split-shift gap was unpaid.
- Do not subtract paid breaks unless policy says they are unpaid.
- Do not ignore dates on overnight shifts.
Where to go next
Open Time Card Calculator to test the exact numbers.
Then use the related guides below when the first answer turns into a second question about gross pay, net pay, overtime, PTO, time cards, business days, or notice dates.
Open Time Card Calculator