Timesheet Template
A timesheet records hours worked for payroll, client billing or project tracking. This free weekly timesheet logs each day's start, end, break and total, sums the week, and leaves room for approval — the Excel version totals hours automatically, and the same layout carries straight onto a contractor's invoice.
Last reviewed 2026-07-22
Template preview
- Employee / contractor:
- Name
- Week starting:
- 2026-07-06
- Project / client:
- Acme Co
- Manager:
- Approver name
- Rate (optional):
- $45.00/hr
| Day | In | Out | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 09:00 | 17:30 | 8.0 |
| Tue | 09:00 | 17:00 | 7.5 |
| Wed | 09:00 | 18:00 | 8.5 |
| Thu | 09:00 | 17:00 | 7.5 |
| Fri | 09:00 | 13:00 | 4.0 |
| Total hours | 35.5 | ||
| Amount (hrs × rate) | $1,597.50 | ||
| Approved by / date | ____________ | ||
How to fill in each field
In / out / break
Log start, end and any unpaid break so daily hours are accurate.
Common mistake: Recording only a daily total, which is hard to verify or dispute.
Weekly total
Sum the week; the Excel version does this automatically with a formula.
Common mistake: Manual addition errors that throw off payroll or billing.
Project / client
Tag hours to a project or client if you bill or cost by them.
Common mistake: No project tag, so billable vs non-billable can't be split.
Approval
Include an approver signature/date line for payroll or client sign-off.
Common mistake: No approval field, delaying payroll or disputed billable hours.
Read the full guide
Timesheets: What to Include, How to Write One, and Common Mistakes Learn what to include in a timesheet, how to write one correctly, and avoid common mistakes. Practical advice for business owners and freelancers. Read the guide →Related templates & variants
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Frequently asked questions
What should a timesheet include?+
Worker name, the period covered, per-day start, end and break times, daily and weekly totals, the project or client, and a supervisor or client approval signature.
Does the Excel timesheet total automatically?+
Yes — daily and weekly totals are formula-driven; you enter start, end and break times and the sheet does the math, including any overtime split you set up.
Can I use this timesheet to invoice clients?+
Yes — total the billable hours per project, multiply by your hourly rate, and copy the lines onto a timesheet invoice. Keeping the two consistent avoids disputes over billed time.
Sources & further reading
- Add custom fields to a weekly timesheet (WorkflowMax)— support.workflowmax.com
- Time sheet fields (Salesforce)— help.salesforce.com
We review authoritative guidance when building each template. Links are for reference only.