Free Homeschool Hours Calculator
If your state asks you to log instruction hours, this calculator shows whether your current schedule gets you there by the end of the school year, and how many hours a day you need if it does not.
Your requirement
Rest of the year
Example: 1,000 required hours, 180 logged after the first 8 weeks. Replace with your own numbers.
Why some families track homeschool hours
Homeschool laws are set by each state, and they differ. Some states ask for a set number of instruction hours or days, some ask for a portfolio or testing, and some have few requirements. Missouri, for example, asks for 1,000 hours of instruction in the school year, with at least 600 in core subjects. Check your own state's homeschool law or your umbrella school for the number that applies to you.
How the calculator works
- Enter the hours your state or umbrella school requires and the hours you have logged so far.
- Enter the school weeks you have left, how many days a week you teach and how long each school day is.
- The calculator multiplies weeks by days by hours, adds what you have logged and compares the total with your requirement.
Worked example
A family needs 1,000 hours and has logged 180 hours in the first 8 weeks. With 28 weeks left at 5 days a week and 5.5 hours a day, they will reach 950 hours, 50 short. To finish on time they need about 5.9 hours on each remaining school day, or a few extra school days.
Tips for keeping a clean log
- Log hours daily or weekly, not from memory at the end of the year.
- Record the subject next to the hours if your state counts core subjects separately.
- Keep the log with samples of work in case you ever need to show records.
Prefer paper? Download the free Homeschool Weekly Planner printable.
Frequently asked questions
How many homeschool hours are required?
It depends on your state. Some states set an hours or days requirement and many do not. Check your state's homeschool law, your state department of education or a homeschool legal organization for the current rule.
Do field trips and reading time count?
In many families' records they do, as long as they are educational. The rules on what counts vary by state, so confirm with your state's guidance.
What if I am behind on hours?
Add a little time to each remaining day, add school days, or extend the school year by a few weeks. The calculator shows the daily hours you need from now.
Does this calculator save my log?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is stored. Use a planner or spreadsheet for your official log.