# Working time rules in the United Kingdom > UK Working Time Regulations: 48-hour average week and opt-out, daily and weekly rest, 20-minute breaks, night work, 5.6 weeks of leave and records. URL: https://timetracking.tech/labor-laws/united-kingdom Language: en Last updated: 2026-10-24 The Working Time Regulations 1998 set limits on working hours and minimum rest for workers in the UK. Here is what they say, what they mean for rosters, and where to read the official text. Last reviewed: 2026-10-24 ## The rules at a glance | Topic | Rule | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Weekly working time | At most 48 hours per week on average over a 17-week reference period; workers can opt out individually in writing | [reg. 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/4) | | Night work | Night workers work on average no more than 8 hours in each 24 hours | [reg. 6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/6) | | Daily rest | 11 consecutive hours in each 24-hour period | [reg. 10](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/10) | | Weekly rest | 24 uninterrupted hours in each 7 days, or 48 hours in each 14 days | [reg. 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/11) | | Rest breaks | 20 minutes when daily working time is more than 6 hours | [reg. 12](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/12) | | Annual leave | 5.6 weeks per year: 4 weeks under regulation 13 plus 1.6 weeks under regulation 13A | [reg. 13, 13A](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/13) | | Records | Records adequate to show compliance with the limits, kept for 2 years; since 2024 employers need not record daily hours if they can show compliance without them | [reg. 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/9) | > **Not legal advice.** This page summarises the general statutory rules for adult employees. Collective agreements, sector rules, young workers and executives can have different rules, and laws change. Check the linked official source or ask an employment lawyer before you rely on a rule. TimeTracking accepts no liability for decisions based on this page. ## The 48-hour week and the opt-out Workers may work at most 48 hours per week on average, measured over a 17-week reference period. Individual weeks can be longer, as long as the average holds. Workers can opt out of the 48-hour limit individually and in writing; an employer cannot force them to. Night workers may work on average no more than 8 hours in each 24 hours. Because averages are involved, the only reliable way to show compliance is to keep track of hours over time. ## Rest, breaks and leave Workers are entitled to 11 consecutive hours of rest in each 24-hour period, and to 24 uninterrupted hours in each 7 days, or 48 hours in each 14 days. When daily working time is more than 6 hours, they get a rest break of 20 minutes. Annual leave is 5.6 weeks per year: 4 weeks under regulation 13 plus 1.6 weeks under regulation 13A. Leave interacts with rosters, so plan it in the same place as shifts. - [Rest time explained](https://timetracking.tech/glossary/rest-time) - [Break rules explained](https://timetracking.tech/glossary/break-rules) ## Records Employers must keep records adequate to show compliance with the limits, and keep them for 2 years. Since 2024, the regulations say explicitly that employers do not need to record daily working hours if they can show compliance without them. In practice, for shift work, overtime and night work, recorded hours are usually the simplest proof. ## How TimeTracking helps TimeTracking records start, end and breaks for every shift and keeps every change in an audit log, so you have evidence for the 48-hour average and rest periods when you need it. Leave and rosters sit in the same app, and approved hours are exported to payroll as CSV or XLSX. A UK rule pack with warnings for the limits above is not built in, so check the rules yourself. TimeTracking is free for up to 5 users; Core costs €1 and Pro €3 per user per month. - [Rosters](https://timetracking.tech/features/rosters) - [Overtime explained](https://timetracking.tech/glossary/overtime) - [Weekly timesheet template](https://timetracking.tech/timesheet-templates/weekly) ## Official sources - [Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/4) - [Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/6) - [Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/9) - [Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 10](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/10) - [Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 11](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/11) - [Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 12](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/12) - [Working Time Regulations 1998, regulations 13 and 13A](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/13) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the maximum working week in the UK? 48 hours per week on average over a 17-week reference period. Workers can opt out individually in writing. ### When is a rest break required in the UK? When daily working time is more than 6 hours, workers are entitled to a 20-minute rest break. ### Do UK employers have to record working hours? They must keep records adequate to show compliance, for 2 years. Since 2024, daily hours need not be recorded if compliance can be shown without them.