Free Timesheet Templates: Excel, Google Sheets, and Printable Formats
Download free timesheet templates to track employee hours, breaks, and overtime across teams and projects. We’ve worked with time data across real team workflows, so we designed the best templates to help you capture accurate, structured time data—so it’s ready for payroll, billing, and reporting without extra cleanup.
Free Timesheet Templates (Excel, Google Sheets, and Printable PDF)
Timesheet Templates Overview
Browse the timesheet templates available on this page and choose the format that best fits your workflow. Use the table below to compare each template and jump directly to the one you need.
| Timesheet Template Type | Best For | Use Case | Format | Pros | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Timesheet Template | Hourly workers, contractors | Track start time, end time, and breaks | Excel, Google Sheets | Accurate daily tracking | Time-consuming to maintain |
| Weekly Timesheet Template | Freelancers, small teams | Track hours worked across a week | Excel, Google Sheets, PDF | Simple, flexible, easy to review | Manual entry, limited reporting |
| Biweekly Timesheet Template | HR teams, payroll | Track hours over a two-week pay cycle | Excel, Google Sheets | Aligns with payroll periods | Less visibility day-to-day |
| Monthly Timesheet Template | Managers, finance teams | Monitor hours across a full month | Excel, Google Sheets | High-level overview | Less detailed, more error-prone |
💡 What is a timesheet template?
A timesheet template is a preformatted document used to track work hours, breaks, and overtime for employees or projects.
Accurate time tracking doesn’t have to involve complex tools or systems. Whether you’re managing hourly employees, independent contractors, or client-billable projects, a structured timesheet template gives you a simple way to stay organized and compliant.
Ready-to-use Free Timesheet Templates
Below you’ll find a useful collection of ready-to-use free timesheet templates. Each template is optimized for different formats and tracking cycles, with practical guidance to help you choose the best option for your needs. If you’re still unsure about your needs, check out our guide about timesheet basics.
Daily Timesheet Template
Daily timesheets are ideal for businesses that need to track detailed hours, breaks, and tasks on a day-to-day basis. These are especially useful for freelancers, hourly workers, or teams with variable schedules.
Download Daily Timesheet Templates
Excel Daily Timesheet Template
The Excel daily timesheet template allows you to log start and end times, breaks, and total hours for each workday. It’s perfect for those who prefer working offline with flexible editing options. Features auto-calculation of hours worked, columns for project/task names, and editable formulas and formatting.
Printable Daily Timesheet Template (PDF)
Need a pen-and-paper solution? The PDF version is designed for quick printing and manual entries, ideal for employees working in the field or without digital access. Features clean, easy-to-read layout, sections for hours, breaks, and notes; and is ready for printing and filing.
Google Sheets Daily Timesheet Template
For those who prefer cloud-based collaboration, the Google Sheets version enables real-time editing and easy sharing across your team. Features collaborative editing, it’s pre-formatted with basic formulas, and accessible from any device.
💡 How to use daily timesheet templates:
- Excel: Fill in Company, Employee name, and Date at the top. Then log one row per task — enter the Project/Task name, Start Time, Break Start, Break End, and End Time. Total Hours calculate automatically. Add the approver’s name in the last column before submitting.
- PDF: Print one sheet per day. Fill in Company, Employee, and Date at the top, then log each task with its start and end times and break duration. Calculate total hours manually at the bottom and have your manager sign in the Approved By column before filing.
- Google Sheets: Go to File → Make a Copy to save your own editable version — don’t type directly into the original. Log one row per task with Start Time, Break Start, Break End, and End Time. Total Hours calculate automatically. Share your copy with your manager using View-only access.
Weekly Timesheet Template
Weekly timesheets strike a balance between detailed tracking and easy management. They’re commonly used across industries for payroll and project tracking.
Download Weekly Timesheet Templates
Excel Weekly Timesheet Template
The Excel format includes a full week (Monday–Sunday), with total hours calculated per day and week. Features built-in weekly summary, hourly rate and total pay calculation, and project breakdown.
Printable Weekly Timesheet Template (PDF)
Keep it simple with a printable weekly log. Great for physical filing or for employees who prefer handwritten logs. Features weekly layout with space for tasks and allows manual entry of in/out times. No digital setup required.
Google Sheets Weekly Timesheet Template
Track your team’s hours in the cloud with the weekly Google Sheets template. It’s ideal for remote teams needing real-time access. Features automated hour tracking, it’s integrated with Google Drive and is easily shareable and customizable.
💡 How to use weekly timesheet templates:
- Excel: Fill in the week start date and employee name at the top. Enter one row per day with project name, hourly rate, and start/end times including breaks. The weekly total calculates automatically in the summary row at the bottom. Submit to payroll at the end of each Friday.
- PDF: Print at the start of each week. Fill in times daily rather than from memory on Friday. Enter start time, end time, and break duration for each day, then total hours at the bottom. Both employee and manager sign before submitting to HR or payroll.
- Google Sheets: Go to File → Make a Copy to save your own editable version. Fill in the week start date and your name at the top. Enter one row per day — Project, Hourly Rate, Start Time, Break Start/End, and End Time. Total Hours This Week calculates automatically at the bottom.
Biweekly Timesheet Template
Biweekly timesheets are commonly used by companies with a two-week payroll cycle. They reduce admin workload while still offering enough detail for project and attendance tracking.
Download Biweekly Timesheet Templates
Excel Biweekly Timesheet Template
Track two weeks’ worth of hours and breaks in one sheet. Useful for payroll admins managing multiple employees or teams. Features two-week calendar view, built-in formulas for hour totals, and break times.
Printable Biweekly Timesheet Template (PDF)
Need something ready to hand out? The PDF version is print-ready and can be used for signature-based attendance tracking. Features simple two-week format, manual entry fields, and print-friendly design.
Google Sheets Biweekly Timesheet Template
Manage two-week logs online. This template is ideal for distributed teams and integrates smoothly into Google Drive workflows. Features two-week tracking, quto-calculated totals, and allows live collaboration.
💡 How to use biweekly timesheet templates:
- Excel: Fill in the Pay Period dates (From / To) and Employee name at the top. The sheet has two sections — Week 1 and Week 2 — with one row per working day (Monday to Friday). Enter the Project/Task, Start time, Break start, Break end, and End time for each day. Hours calculate automatically per row and the Total hours (Biweekly) sum at the bottom.
- PDF: Print one sheet per pay period. Fill in the From/To dates and employee name at the top. Complete one row per working day across both weeks, entering start time, break times, and end time. Calculate daily hours manually and confirm the biweekly total matches your payroll records before both employee and manager sign.
- Google Sheets: Go to File → Make a Copy to save your own editable version. Fill in the pay period dates and employee name at the top. Log one row per working day across Week 1 and Week 2 — enter Project/Task, Start time, Break start, Break end, and End time. Total hours (Biweekly) calculate automatically at the bottom.
Monthly Timesheet Template
Monthly templates offer a high-level overview of time spent across four weeks. Ideal for contractors, consultants, or internal time audits.
Download Monthly Timesheet Templates
Excel Monthly Timesheet Template
Get a full month in a single sheet. Automatically calculates total hours and includes notes sections for project comments. Features full-month layout, summary of billable hours, and is editable for different month lengths.
Printable Monthly Timesheet Template (PDF)
Keep it old-school with a printable monthly log. Great for filing or for teams working without constant internet access. Features clean design for easy reading and manual input fields. Ideal for compliance and archiving.
Google Sheets Monthly Timesheet Template
Need a monthly log you can update on the go? Use the Google Sheets version to simplify your time reporting process. Features monthly tracking grid, cloud storage and auto-save. Works on any device.
💡 How to use biweekly timesheet templates:
- Excel: Fill in the Month and Employee Name at the top. The sheet pre-populates all working days of the month with their date number and day of the week — weekends are excluded. For each day, enter the Project/Task, Start time, Break start, Break end, and End time. Hours calculate automatically per row and Monthly Total Hours sum at the bottom.
- PDF: Print at the start of the month. All working days are pre-listed by date and day of week — fill in project, start time, breaks, and end time daily. Use the Note column for absences or partial days. Before submitting to HR, confirm the Monthly Total Hours figure matches what your payroll system expects, then sign.
- Google Sheets: Go to File → Make a Copy before editing. Fill in the month and employee name at the top. The sheet lists all working days with date and day of week pre-filled — enter Project/Task and times for each day worked. Use the Note column to flag leaves, holidays, or unusual hours. Monthly Total Hours calculates automatically in the last row.
Why Use a Timesheet Template?
Timesheet templates are more than just spreadsheets—they’re a starting point for better productivity, time tracking accuracy, and smoother payroll processes. By standardizing how your team reports hours, you:
- Reduce payroll errors
- Track billable vs non-billable time
- Improve project time estimates
- Maintain compliance with labor laws
PDF, Excel or Google Sheets: Which Format Should You Choose?
Each timesheet format has strengths depending on how you work and what you need:
- PDF templates are best for printing, signing, and storing offline. They work well in environments where paperwork is required or internet access is limited.
- Excel timesheets offer editable fields and built-in formulas to calculate hours automatically. They’re great for freelancers, agencies, and internal tracking where precision matters.
- Google Sheets templates are ideal for collaboration. You can share them with your team, edit them in real-time, and access them from anywhere.
👉 If you’re not sure which one is right for you, try all three and see which fits your workflow best.
Who Should Use These Templates?
These templates are flexible enough to support a wide range of users and needs:
- Freelancers and consultants can track hours to generate accurate invoices and ensure client transparency.
- HR or payroll teams can use them to collect signed records and calculate compensation.
- Remote employees can document daily work, breaks, and overtime—even across time zones.
- Field teams or construction crews can fill out printed PDFs on-site without needing digital access.
Timesheet Templates vs Automated Timesheets
Manual templates are a great start—but if you’re managing multiple employees, clients, or payroll cycles, they can quickly become inefficient. That’s where a time tracking solution like TrackingTime makes a difference.
👉 TrackingTime simplifies time management with features like:
- Real-time and manual time tracking
- Employee and manager approval workflows
- Project-based reporting and analytics
- Payroll and billing integrations
- Full timesheet history and data exports
Learn how switching from spreadsheets to automated timesheets saves time.
Timesheet Templates That Work for You
Whether you need a fast, printable sheet or a collaborative Google Doc, having the right timesheet format saves time, reduces errors, and keeps everyone accountable. These templates are designed to help you get organized—without the cost or complexity of software. Pair your template with these best practices for using timesheets.
But when you’re ready to scale, streamline, and automate, TrackingTime is built for the job. Try it free, and see how it transforms your timesheet workflow.
💡 To get the most out of your timesheets:
- Use a consistent format each pay period
- Back up digital templates regularly
- Train your team on how to fill out forms accurately
- Consider automating timesheets with a time tracking tool
Frequent Questions about Timesheet Templates
What is a timesheet template?
A timesheet template is a pre-formatted document used to record work hours by employee, day, project, or task. It typically includes fields for start and end times, break durations, total hours, and sometimes overtime or billable rates. Timesheet templates are used by businesses to track attendance, calculate payroll, document billable client hours, and stay compliant with labor regulations. They’re available in Excel, Google Sheets, and PDF formats depending on whether you need automatic calculations, real-time collaboration, or a printable paper record.
How do you fill out a timesheet template correctly?
To fill out a timesheet template correctly, start by entering the employee name, the pay period dates, and the department or project at the top. For each day, record the exact start time, end time, and total break time — net hours are calculated by subtracting breaks from total elapsed time. If you’re tracking multiple projects or clients in a single day, use one row per task or project rather than one row per day. Review totals at the end of each week for errors before submitting to payroll or sending to a client. Consistency matters most: use the same format every pay period to make records easier to audit and compare over time.
What should be included in a timesheet?
A complete timesheet should include the employee’s full name and ID, the pay period start and end dates, daily start and end times, break durations, total hours worked per day, and a weekly or period total. For project-based work, add columns for project name, task description, and billable vs. non-billable classification. For payroll purposes, include space for overtime hours, the applicable hourly rate, and total compensation. A signature line for both the employee and the approving manager is required in most regulated environments and strongly recommended for all businesses to avoid disputes.
Can I use a timesheet template to invoice clients for hourly work?
Yes. The daily and weekly Excel and Google Sheets templates on this page include a billable hours column and a per-client summary that you can reference when generating invoices. Many freelancers and consultants attach the completed timesheet directly to their invoice as supporting documentation — it reduces payment disputes and builds client trust by showing exactly what hours were worked and on which tasks. For recurring client billing, the weekly and biweekly formats work best since they align with most invoice cycles.
What is the difference between a timesheet and a time card?
A time card records only when an employee clocks in and out — it tracks attendance and total hours but doesn’t capture what work was done or for which project. A timesheet goes further: it breaks time down by task, project, or client, making it useful not just for payroll but for billing, project management, and productivity analysis. Time cards are common in hourly shift-based environments like retail or manufacturing. Timesheets are standard in professional services, agencies, consulting, and any business where hours need to be allocated across multiple projects or billed to clients.
Which timesheet format is best — Excel, Google Sheets, or PDF?
The best format depends on how your team works. Excel is the strongest choice if you need custom formulas, work offline frequently, or share files with clients who don’t use Google Workspace — it gives you full control over calculations and formatting. Google Sheets is ideal for remote or distributed teams because multiple people can update the same document simultaneously, and managers get real-time visibility without chasing anyone for updates. PDF is the right choice when you need a printable, signable record for compliance or paper-based workflows — it’s standard in field services, construction, and healthcare. If you’re unsure, start with Google Sheets: it’s the most flexible for most modern teams.
When should you switch from timesheet templates to time tracking software?
Templates work well for teams of up to 3-5 people with straightforward billing. You should consider switching to time tracking software when you’re spending more than 30 minutes per week compiling or correcting timesheet data, when you manage more than one client or project simultaneously, when your team regularly forgets to submit timesheets, or when you need reports that go beyond a simple hour total — like profitability by project, utilization rates, or budget vs. actual comparisons. Software like TrackingTime eliminates manual entry by tracking time automatically in the background, integrating with the tools your team already uses, and generating ready-to-export reports in seconds.
Are timesheet templates compliant with labor laws?
Timesheet templates themselves don’t guarantee compliance — compliance depends on how accurately and consistently they’re filled out. Most labor laws require employers to retain records of hours worked for a minimum period (typically 2-3 years in the US, EU, and UK), accurately track overtime, and maintain documentation that can be audited. The templates on this page include all the fields required for standard compliance: employee identification, date, daily hours, overtime, and signature lines. For industries with stricter requirements — healthcare, construction, government contracting — check your local regulations to confirm whether additional fields or electronic records are required.
