All Tools

Man-Hours Calculator

Determines total person-hours required for a project and corresponding labor cost

Total workers on the project

Hours each worker puts in per day

Duration of the project in working days

Cost per hour of labor

Total Man-Hours

Total labor hours for the project

Total Labor Cost

Total cost of labor for the project

Cost per Man-Hour

Cost for each hour of labor

Frequently Asked Questions

What are man-hours?

Man-hours (also called person-hours) measure the amount of work done by one person in one hour. If a project requires 200 man-hours, it could be completed by 1 person in 200 hours, 10 people in 20 hours, or 25 people in 8 hours. It is a standard unit for estimating labor costs and project timelines.

How do I estimate man-hours for a project?

Break the project into tasks, estimate hours per task, and add a buffer (typically 10-20%) for unforeseen issues. Track actual hours on completed projects to improve future estimates. Historical data is the most reliable basis for man-hour estimates.

What is the difference between man-hours and billable hours?

Man-hours count all hours worked on a project including overhead, administration, and rework. Billable hours are only the hours you can charge to a client. Utilization rate (billable / total hours) is typically 60-80% for professional services firms.