Meal break laws by state
Last checked against official sources: (dol.gov; ecfr.gov; ecfr.gov; govinfo.gov; govinfo.gov; dir.ca.gov; dir.ca.gov; lni.wa.gov; cdle.colorado.gov; labor.illinois.gov; labor.illinois.gov)
One table for adult private-sector meal breaks: verified rows for California, Washington, Colorado, and Illinois, DOL-summary rows where we have not yet checked the state source, and honest “no general rule” rows elsewhere.
Federal law does not require lunch breaks. Where a state mandates meals, the table shows trigger hours, minimum length, start-by windows, second-meal rules where applicable, paid vs unpaid conditions, and rest-break notes for verified states. Confirm with the linked agency before changing payroll practice.
Federal baseline
- No federal law requires meal breaks for adult private-sector employees.
- Short rest breaks of about 5–20 minutes are generally paid time (29 CFR 785.18).
- Bona fide meal periods of at least 30 minutes, with the employee fully relieved of duty, are ordinarily not worktime (29 CFR 785.19).
Paid vs unpaid break FAQ: time clock calculator guide.
Adult private-sector employees only. Minors, agriculture, healthcare, collective bargaining agreements, and exempt staff can follow different rules. This table is general reference—not legal, tax, or payroll advice.
Without JavaScript, use the in-table state links or browse the table below.
| State | Status | Trigger / standard | Minimum length | Start-by window | Second meal | Paid if | Rest break | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Alaska(AK) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Arizona(AZ) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Arkansas(AR) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| California(CA) | Verified (state source) | More than 5 hours of work per day | At least 30 minutes (½ hour) | Before the end of the 5th hour of work | Second 30-minute meal when the work period exceeds 10 hours, no later than the end of the employee's tenth hour of work (may be waived by mutual consent when total hours are no more than 12 and the first meal was not waived) | Unpaid when the employee is fully relieved of duty; on-duty meals count as hours worked. If a required meal is not provided, Labor Code §226.7 requires one additional hour of pay at the regular rate. | Paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours worked (or major fraction thereof) — see DIR rest period FAQ | These rules apply to adult private-sector employees. Minors, agriculture, healthcare, and the motion-picture industry have different meal rules (see DLSE FAQ and DOL state footnotes). |
| Colorado(CO) | Verified (state source) DOL’s 2023 table still describes Colorado as “4 industries”; COMPS Order #40 (effective 1 Feb 2026) applies more broadly. | Shift over 5 consecutive hours (COMPS Order #40, Rule 5.1) | At least 30 minutes uninterrupted, duty-free | At least 1 hour after shift start and 1 hour before shift end, to the extent practical | — | Unpaid only if the employee is completely relieved of all duties and may leave the work site; otherwise an on-duty paid meal | Paid 10-minute rest for each 4 hours of work or major fraction thereof (COMPS Rule 5.2) | Checked 27 October 2026 COMPS Order #40 covers employees generally (exemptions in Rule 2); agriculture follows the same meal and rest rules as other employees (CDLE INFO #4). |
| Connecticut(CT) | DOL table only | ½ hour at some time after first 2 hours and before last 2 hours for employees who work 7½ consecutive hours or more. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Delaware(DE) | DOL table only | ½ hour, at some time, after first 2 hours and before the last 2 hours, for employees who work 7½ consecutive hours or more. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| District of Columbia(DC) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Florida(FL) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Georgia(GA) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Hawaii(HI) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Idaho(ID) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Illinois(IL) | Verified (state source) DOL’s January 2023 table does not include Illinois’s 2023 second-meal requirement. | Every 7.5-hour shift (7.5 continuous hours worked) | At least 20 minutes | No later than 5 hours after the start of the shift | An additional 20-minute meal for every additional 4.5 continuous hours worked (IDOL FAQ: “if working a 12-hour shift or longer”) | Employers may not force employees to work through a meal break; work during a meal must be paid (IDOL ODRISA FAQ) | — | Excludes meal periods established by a collective bargaining agreement (see IDOL ODRISA page). |
| Indiana(IN) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Iowa(IA) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Kansas(KS) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Kentucky(KY) | DOL table only | Reasonable off-duty period, ordinarily ½ hour but shorter period permitted under special conditions, between 3rd and 5th hour of work. Not counted as time worked. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Louisiana(LA) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Maine(ME) | DOL table only | 30 minutes after 6 consecutive hours, except in cases of emergency. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Maryland(MD) | DOL table only | 15 minute break for 4–6 consecutive hours or a 30 minute break for more than 6 consecutive hours; if an employee works 8 or more consecutive hours, a 30-minute break plus an additional 15 minute break for every additional 4 consecutive hours worked. Coverage: Retail establishments with 50 or more retail employees (each working day in 20+ calendar weeks in the current or preceding year). From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Massachusetts(MA) | DOL table only | At least a 30-minute meal break for each 6 hours worked in a calendar day; workers must be free of all duties and free to leave the workplace during the break. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Michigan(MI) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Minnesota(MN) | DOL table only | Sufficient unpaid time for employees who work 8 consecutive hours or more. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Mississippi(MS) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Missouri(MO) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Montana(MT) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Nebraska(NE) | DOL table only | ½ hour, off premises, for lunch in each 8-hour shift. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Nevada(NV) | DOL table only | ½ hour, if work is for 8 continuous hours. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| New Hampshire(NH) | DOL table only | ½ hour, after 5 consecutive hours, unless feasible for employee to eat while working and is permitted to do so by employer. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| New Jersey(NJ) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| New Mexico(NM) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| New York(NY) | DOL table only | 1 hour noon-day period (factory workers); see DOL table for other shift rules. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| North Carolina(NC) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| North Dakota(ND) | DOL table only | ½ hour, if desired, on each shift exceeding 5 hours. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Ohio(OH) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Oklahoma(OK) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Oregon(OR) | DOL table only | ½ hour with relief from all duty for each work period of 6 to 8 hours (timing between 2nd–5th or 3rd–6th hour depending on shift length); alternate paid on-duty rules apply in listed cases. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Pennsylvania(PA) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Rhode Island(RI) | DOL table only | 20 minute mealtime within a six hour work shift, and a 30 minute mealtime within an eight hour work shift. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| South Carolina(SC) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| South Dakota(SD) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Tennessee(TN) | DOL table only | ½ hour for employees scheduled to work 6 consecutive hours or more; meal break shall not be scheduled during or before the first hour of scheduled work activity. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Texas(TX) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Utah(UT) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Vermont(VT) | DOL table only | Employees are to be given “reasonable opportunities” during work periods to eat and use toilet facilities. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Virginia(VA) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Washington(WA) | Verified (state source) | More than 5 consecutive hours in the work period | At least 30 minutes | Not less than 2 hours nor more than 5 hours from the beginning of the shift | An additional 30-minute meal when working 3 or more hours beyond a scheduled shift (WAC 296-126-092) | Unpaid only when the worker is free from all duties for the entire break; otherwise paid | Paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked (L&I rest breaks page) | Employees under 18 and agricultural workers have different standards. Healthcare workers may have additional requirements (L&I). |
| West Virginia(WV) | DOL table only | 20 minutes for employees who work 6 hours or more in a workday. From the DOL table, last revised 1 Jan 2023. Not yet checked against the state's own source. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Wisconsin(WI) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
| Wyoming(WY) | No general adult rule in DOL table | No general adult meal-break law in the DOL table (1 Jan 2023); minors’ rules may differ. | — | DOL meal-break table | ||||
Thirty-five jurisdictions have separate minors’ meal-period rules (DOL footnote 1). New Mexico and Wisconsin publish recommendations rather than a fixed adult standard; Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also have farm-worker meal rules in DOL footnote 2.
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FAQ
- Is lunch required for an 8-hour shift?
- It depends on the state. Federal law does not require a meal break for adult private-sector workers. In this table, California and Washington generally require a 30-minute meal when work exceeds five hours; Colorado when a shift exceeds five consecutive hours; Illinois when a shift reaches 7.5 hours; and many other states have no general adult meal law listed in the U.S. DOL table. See your state row and official link.
- Is lunch paid or unpaid?
- Bona fide meal periods are usually unpaid when the worker is fully relieved of duty (29 CFR 785.19). Short rest breaks are typically paid (29 CFR 785.18). State rows note when a meal must be paid—for example, if the employee works through the break or remains on duty.
- Can I skip my lunch break?
- Only where law and employer policy allow. California permits waiving a first meal on shifts of six hours or fewer by mutual consent, and may allow waiving a second meal on shifts of twelve hours or fewer if the first meal was not waived. Washington allows waiver by mutual agreement. Other states may forbid or restrict on-duty meals—check your row and labor agency.
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