Hours per week calculator
Pick a goal and a deadline to see your weekly pace.
How the math works
Hours left divided by the weeks until your deadline. With a 100-hour goal, 20 hours already done and 32 weeks to go, you need 80 ÷ 32 = 2.5 hours a week: one 3-hour shift a week, with a little room to spare. The calculator rounds up to the next half hour, so the pace it shows gets you there on time.
Hours for common goals
| Goal | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas graduation requirement | 75 | 75 community service hours, class of 2027 and later |
| Maryland student service learning | 75 | 75 service-learning hours for a Maryland diploma |
| Washington, DC graduation requirement | 100 | 100 community service hours for a DC public diploma |
| Florida Bright Futures: Academic Scholars | 100 | 100 service hours |
| Florida Bright Futures: Medallion Scholars | 75 | 75 service hours |
| Florida Bright Futures: Gold Seal CAPE | 30 | 30 service hours |
| Missouri A+ Scholarship | 50 | 50 tutoring or mentoring hours |
| Congressional Award Bronze Certificate | 30 | Service hours, plus personal development and fitness |
| Congressional Award Silver Certificate | 60 | Service hours, plus personal development and fitness |
| Congressional Award Gold Certificate | 90 | Service hours, plus personal development and fitness; at least 6 months |
| Congressional Award Bronze Medal | 100 | Service hours, plus personal development and fitness; at least 7 months |
| Congressional Award Silver Medal | 200 | Service hours, plus personal development and fitness; at least 12 months |
| Congressional Award Gold Medal | 400 | Service hours, plus personal development and fitness; at least 24 months |
| Girl Scouts Gold Award | 80 | 80 hours on your Take Action project |
| National Honor Society | Set by your chapter | Use your chapter's number in the calculator |
Not sure what your state asks for? See the service hours to graduate in every state.
Tips to keep the pace
- Pick a fixed slot, like every other Saturday morning, so the hours happen without planning each week.
- Log the same day, with the hours and the supervisor who can sign. Rebuilding hours from memory before a deadline usually undercounts them.
- Get ahead before busy months. Exams and sports seasons squeeze your time, so bank hours earlier.
- Use the summer. Ten weeks at 5 hours a week adds 50 hours.
- Check what counts before you start. Many schools want activities approved in advance.
Applying to college this year? Turn your hours into the Common App's two numbers with the Common App hours per week calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many volunteer hours I need a week?
Subtract the hours you already have from your goal, then divide by the weeks until your deadline. With a 100-hour goal, 20 hours done and 32 weeks left, that is 80 ÷ 32 = 2.5 hours a week.
How many volunteer hours a week is realistic in high school?
Many students fit in 2 to 3 hours a week, often one weekend shift. Over a 36-week school year that adds up to 72 to 108 hours, and the summer can add more.
How many volunteer hours do I need for college?
Colleges do not set a number. They look for steady involvement and what you did with your time. Graduation requirements, scholarships and awards do set numbers; see the table on this page.
Do summer hours count?
Usually, as long as the service follows the program’s rules and falls in the grades it allows. Check with your school or the program before you start.
What counts as volunteer hours?
Unpaid service that helps others through a nonprofit, school, place of worship or public agency, confirmed by an adult supervisor who is not a relative. Each program has its own rules, so check what yours accepts.