16 Free Daily Timesheet Templates for Tracking Work Hours
Accurately tracking work hours doesn’t have to mean wrestling with complicated software. A well-designed daily timesheet can make it easier to record start and finish times, calculate hours, monitor overtime, and keep project records organized. Whether you’re an employee, freelancer, small-business owner, or team manager, the right template can turn a repetitive task into a quick daily habit.
Below are 16 free daily timesheet templates for common work situations, along with tips for choosing, using, and customizing them. Template availability and features can change, so check the linked source before downloading.
What Is a Daily Timesheet?
A daily timesheet is a record of the hours worked on a particular day. Depending on the job, it may include:
- Employee or contractor name
- Date and job or project
- Start time and finish time
- Meal and rest breaks
- Regular hours and overtime
- Tasks or notes
- Employee and supervisor approval
Daily records can help with payroll, billing, project tracking, and reviewing how time is spent. The U.S. Department of Labor advises employers to maintain accurate records of hours worked for covered, nonexempt employees; employers can use any timekeeping method that produces complete and accurate records.[1]
16 Free Daily Timesheet Templates
The options below come from established productivity, payroll, and document-template providers. Some offer downloadable files, while others provide templates you can copy or customize online.
1. Microsoft Excel Timesheet Templates
Microsoft offers Excel templates for tracking time and calculating work hours. These can be a good starting point if your team already uses Excel and wants a spreadsheet that can be adapted to its payroll or project process.[2]
Best for: Excel users who want an editable spreadsheet.
2. Microsoft Word Timesheet Templates
Microsoft’s Word template collection includes printable forms that can be filled out by hand or edited on a computer.[2]
Best for: Teams that prefer a simple document over a spreadsheet.
3. Google Sheets Timesheet Templates
Google Sheets’ template gallery and shared spreadsheet templates can be used to create a timesheet that multiple people can access. A team can tailor fields, add formulas, and share a file with appropriate permissions.[3]
Best for: Distributed teams that need a shared, cloud-based sheet.
4. Google Docs Timesheet Templates
Google Docs can be used for printable or fillable daily time records. A document-based form is often easier to distribute when workers don’t need automated calculations.[3]
Best for: Paper-style forms that are easy to share and print.
5. Vertex42 Daily Timesheet Template
Vertex42 provides spreadsheet templates for recording work hours. Its templates are useful for people who want a familiar Excel-style layout and the option to adjust the spreadsheet to their needs.[4]
Best for: Individuals and small teams looking for a customizable spreadsheet.
6. Vertex42 Weekly Timesheet with Daily Entries
If you need to track each day while keeping the whole week on one page, a weekly sheet with daily rows may be more convenient than separate forms. Vertex42’s timesheet collection includes options designed for recurring weekly tracking.[4]
Best for: Employees who submit hours once a week but record them daily.
7. Smartsheet Daily Timesheet Templates
Smartsheet offers time-tracking templates in formats such as Excel and Google Sheets. Some templates are designed to capture project details as well as hours, making them useful for teams that need to allocate time across different jobs.[5]
Best for: Project-based businesses and teams.
8. Smartsheet Employee Timesheet Template
An employee-focused template can help standardize how workers record their hours and how supervisors review them. Before using one for payroll, confirm that its fields match your company’s rules and local requirements.[5]
Best for: Managers who want a consistent format across employees.
9. Clockify Printable Timesheet Templates
Clockify provides downloadable timesheet templates in several formats. Printable versions can work well for employees who record hours on paper before submitting them for approval.[6]
Best for: Paper-based workflows and simple recordkeeping.
10. Clockify Excel Timesheet Templates
A spreadsheet version is helpful when you want to calculate totals rather than add hours manually. Check formulas carefully before relying on a downloaded sheet, especially if you change its layout.[6]
Best for: Users who want digital records and automatic calculations.
11. Clockify Google Sheets Timesheet Templates
A Google Sheets version can make it easier for a team to access a shared time record. Use individual files or carefully managed permissions so workers can’t accidentally edit one another’s entries.[6]
Best for: Teams that collaborate online.
12. Jotform Timesheet Templates
Jotform provides online form templates that can be customized to collect timesheet information digitally. Forms may suit organizations that want employees to submit entries rather than edit a shared spreadsheet.[7]
Best for: Digital submissions and structured data collection.
13. Jotform Employee Timesheet Forms
An employee timesheet form can gather information such as dates, hours, and supervisor details in a consistent format. Review the form’s data storage and access settings before collecting sensitive workplace information.[7]
Best for: Businesses moving from paper forms to online submissions.
14. Template.net Daily Timesheet Templates
Template.net offers a range of business document templates, including timesheet formats. Its collection may include different layouts for daily tracking, employee records, and project work.[8]
Best for: Users looking for different document styles and layouts.
15. Template.net Printable Timesheet Forms
A printable form is a practical choice when employees don’t have reliable access to a computer or when a signed paper record is part of the approval process.[8]
Best for: On-site teams and paper-based approvals.
16. Canva Timesheet Templates
Canva’s editable document templates can be useful when presentation matters—for example, when creating a polished form for clients or a small team. Make sure the design still leaves enough room for clear, accurate time entries.[9]
Best for: Teams that want a visually customized form.
How to Choose the Right Template
The best template is the one that fits your work and can be completed consistently. Consider these questions before choosing:
Do you need a daily, weekly, or project-based layout?
A daily sheet gives each workday its own record. A weekly sheet can reduce paperwork, while a project-based sheet helps separate hours by client, task, or job code.
Will people enter hours on paper or digitally?
Choose a printable PDF or document for handwritten entries. Choose Excel or Google Sheets if you want formulas, sorting, or digital storage. Online forms may be useful when employees submit records individually.
Does it calculate hours automatically?
Automatic calculations can reduce arithmetic errors, but formulas need to be set up correctly. Check how the template handles breaks, overnight shifts, and overtime. Don’t assume that a displayed total follows your organization’s payroll rules.
Does it include the information you actually need?
Avoid collecting unnecessary details, but make sure the form includes the fields required for approval, billing, or recordkeeping. A contractor billing clients may need a project or client field; an hourly employee may need a supervisor sign-off.
How to Use a Daily Timesheet Effectively
- Record time promptly. Enter hours at the end of each work period or day, while details are still fresh.
- Use consistent time formats. Choose a format such as 9:00 a.m. or 09:00 and use it throughout the sheet.
- Record breaks clearly. Show whether a break is paid or unpaid according to your workplace policy.
- Separate work by project when needed. This makes it easier to understand where time went and prepare accurate client invoices.
- Review totals before submitting. Check dates, start and finish times, break deductions, and calculated totals.
- Keep a clear approval process. Decide who reviews timesheets, when they’re due, and how corrections should be made.
- Store records securely. Limit access to people who need the information and follow your organization’s retention policies.
For covered nonexempt employees in the United States, the Department of Labor says employers must keep records of hours worked each day and each workweek, among other payroll information.[1] Employers should confirm the rules that apply to their workers and location rather than relying on a generic template alone.
Common Timesheet Mistakes to Avoid
- Filling in the sheet from memory at the end of the week: This can lead to missed or inaccurate entries.
- Forgetting to account for breaks: A sheet should make break time easy to record consistently.
- Changing formulas without checking them: A small spreadsheet edit can affect totals throughout the file.
- Using one shared sheet without access controls: This can cause accidental edits or expose information unnecessarily.
- Treating a template as a compliance guarantee: A template is a recordkeeping tool, not legal or payroll advice.
Conclusion
A daily timesheet doesn’t need to be elaborate to be useful. The best free template is one that fits your workflow, captures the information you need, and is easy to complete accurately. Start with one of the 16 options above, test its calculations and fields, and adapt it to your team’s approval and recordkeeping process.
For payroll or legal compliance, verify applicable rules with an authoritative source or qualified professional. A well-kept timesheet can support that process, but it cannot replace it.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, “Fact Sheet #21: Recordkeeping Requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)”: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/21-flsa-recordkeeping
- Microsoft Create, Templates: https://create.microsoft.com/en-us/templates
- Google Docs Editors Help, Create a document from a template: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/148833
- Vertex42, Timesheet Templates: https://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/timesheet-template.html
- Smartsheet, Free Timesheet Templates: https://www.smartsheet.com/content/excel-timesheet-templates
- Clockify, Free Timesheet Templates: https://clockify.me/timesheet-templates
- Jotform, Timesheet Templates: https://www.jotform.com/form-templates/category/timesheet
- Template.net, Timesheet Templates: https://www.template.net/editable/timesheet
- Canva, Timesheet Templates: https://www.canva.com/templates/search/timesheets/