Shift tracker: how to log your shifts and know your pay

Published 2026-11-03

Quick answer

A shift tracker records the date, start and end time, breaks and pay rate of every shift you work. Log each shift soon after it ends, mark unpaid breaks, and keep one rate per job. Add the shifts up for each pay period to see your expected gross pay and check it against your paycheck.

Hourly pay depends on small details: when a shift started, how long your break was, whether a rate changed. A shift tracker keeps those details in one place, so your own record of the week is ready when payday comes.

What should a shift tracker record?

The date and the start and end time, as real clock times so an overnight shift stays in one piece.
Breaks, marked as paid or unpaid.
The job and its hourly rate, so every shift uses the right rate.
Extras such as tips, bonuses and adjustments, kept apart from hourly pay.
A short note for anything unusual, such as a swapped shift or a late finish.

Why keep your own record of your shifts?

Your employer keeps its own records, and your pay is usually calculated from them. Your own log is a second reference. When a paycheck looks different from what you expected, you can compare it line by line instead of guessing.

In some places employers must keep working-time records, and workers can ask for payslips. Rules differ, so check your local rules.

How do I log shifts without forgetting any?

Log the shift as soon as it ends, while the times are fresh.
Use a timer: start it when you clock in and stop it when you leave.
Save your regular shifts as templates and reuse them.
Fix mistakes the same day, before the details fade.

ShiftPaybook is built around this routine. You can add a shift in a few taps, reuse recent shifts as templates, or start the timer when you clock in.

How do I handle overnight shifts and breaks?

Record the start and end as real clock times, so a shift that crosses midnight is one shift and not two. Mark each break as paid or unpaid, because unpaid break time is normally taken out of your paid hours. Your contract and local rules decide which breaks are paid.

Example of one logged shift (illustrative figures)
Field	Example	Why it matters
Start and end	22:00 to 06:00	The shift crosses midnight but is still one shift
Break	30 minutes, unpaid	Reduces the paid hours
Rate	20 per hour	Sets the base pay for the shift
Extras	Tips noted separately	Tips are not hourly pay

What makes a good shift tracker for hourly work?

It works offline, so you can log a shift in a break room with no signal.
It keeps your data private, ideally on your own device.
It shows how a figure is calculated, not only a total.
It handles more than one job and more than one currency.
It lets you export or back up your records.

ShiftPaybook is a shift tracker and pay calculator for iPhone. It has no account, works offline, keeps your data on your device and lists every pay line separately.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to track shifts?

Log each shift soon after it ends, record real start and end times, and mark breaks as paid or unpaid. A consistent routine matters more than the tool you choose.

Can I track shifts for more than one job?

Yes, as long as each job keeps its own rate. ShiftPaybook keeps a separate rate, colour and currency for each job and never adds different currencies together. The free plan covers one job and Pro covers unlimited jobs.

Do I need an internet connection to track shifts?

Not with ShiftPaybook. It has no account and works offline, so you can log shifts anywhere.

Is a shift tracker the same as a timesheet?

A timesheet is usually the record your employer collects. A shift tracker is your own record. Both list hours worked, so you can compare them when a paycheck looks wrong.

Sources

Public bodies and Apple documentation that this guide draws on:

General information only, not legal, tax or payroll advice. Rules differ by country, region, contract and employer, so check your local rules before relying on a figure.