TimeCardWeb
Paycheck Variance & Mathematical Discrepancy Tool

Paycheck Hours Checker

Compare entered hours and estimated gross pay with reported paystub values. This tool identifies mathematical discrepancies based on user-supplied numbers and does not constitute a formal legal audit or prove wage theft.

Paycheck Hours & Wage Comparison

Compare user-supplied worked hours against paystub line items to inspect estimated gross pay variances.

1Actual Hours Worked (Your Records)

Timesheet Data
$
Expected Regular Pay:$800.00
Expected Overtime Pay:$165.00
Expected Total Gross:$965.00

2Reported on Your Paystub

Paycheck Stub
$
Enter Gross Pay line item before income taxes or statutory deductions.
Total Stub Hours:42.00h
Reported Gross Pay:$860.00
Both Hours and Gross Pay Differ

Expected gross pay is $965.00 for 45.50 hours worked, compared to $860.00 for 42.00 hours reported on the paystub.

Variance-$105.00
Calculation Assumptions & Verification Limitations
  • Comparison assumes standard 1.5× overtime for hours over 40 under FLSA rules.
  • Excludes statutory payroll deductions (FICA, federal, state, and local income taxes).
  • Does not account for non-discretionary bonuses, shift differentials, commissions, or paid time off (PTO).
  • This estimate is for personal verification and does not constitute a formal payroll audit or legal determination.
Always present dated timesheet punch records to your HR or payroll office when reviewing discrepancies.
Verification Guide

Common Reasons Paystubs Differ from Worked Hours

Payroll calculations involve multiple variables, including workweek cutoffs, time-rounding rules, and statutory deductions. If your entered figures differ from your paystub, review these common factors:

1Automatic Meal Break Deductions

Some payroll systems automatically deduct 30 or 60 minutes daily for lunch. If you worked through lunch or were interrupted during your break, under 29 CFR § 785.19 that time must be compensated as work time.

2Biweekly Averaging Confusion

Under federal FLSA 29 CFR § 778.104, each workweek stands alone. An employee working 44 hours in Week 1 and 36 hours in Week 2 (80 hours total) is entitled to 4 hours of overtime for Week 1, even though the biweekly sum is 80 hours.

3Time Clock Rounding Policies

Under 29 CFR § 785.48, rounding clock punches (e.g. to the nearest 15 minutes) is only lawful if it averages out neutrally. Systematic rounding that only benefits the employer is prohibited.

4Differentials and Nondiscretionary Bonuses

Night shift differentials, hazardous duty pay, and non-discretionary bonuses must be factored into the regular rate of pay when determining 1.5× overtime rates under 29 U.S.C. § 207(e).

Recommended Steps When Reviewing Variances with Your Employer

  1. Assemble Written Records: Collect badge timestamps, shift schedule emails, and paystub earnings statements.
  2. Document the Specific Discrepancy: Note the exact dates, hours, and mathematical variance.
  3. Contact Your Payroll Department: Request a review with your supervisor or payroll office as a standard timesheet clarification.
  4. Verify Net vs Gross: Remember that taxes (FICA, Medicare, federal/state income tax) and voluntary deductions (401k, healthcare) reduce gross pay to net pay.
Educational Guide

How to Read Your Pay Stub Hours

Understand regular vs overtime line items, gross vs net pay, and how to verify payroll hours against your personal timesheet records.

Read Pay Stub Guide
Educational Guide

Automatic Lunch Deductions

Learn how federal law (29 CFR § 785.19) treats interrupted meal periods, review a reconciliation case study, and follow our audit checklist.

Read Meal Audit Guide

Calculate Weekly Hours First?

Input your day-by-day shift clock-in and clock-out timestamps on our free Weekly Time Card Calculator to generate exact totals.

Open Main Time Card