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Interactive Tool · Task Economics

The Time-Cost Calculator

Put a value on the time spent reaching a usable result and the time spent going further. Keep the two stages visible.

Two Stages. One Hourly Time Value.

Use this after defining the job and checking that its result is usable. The first stage includes prompting, reading, checking, correction and manual finishing. The second is additional work deliberately pursued after that point.

Enter active human time. Track elapsed waiting separately unless it requires attention. Exploration counts as the original task when exploration is the requested outcome.

For the meeting example, correcting an owner belongs to reaching a usable result. Asking for reminder emails after the action table is correct means going further.

What Was The Time Cost?

Tip: This calculator measures human time. AI subscription costs are excluded.

Costs are based on the value of time. AI usage fees are not included.

Cost Of Getting To A Usable Result

€25.00

The value of the time spent reaching a usable result.

Cost Of Going Further

€43.75

The value of the time spent beyond the original task.

Total Time

55 minutes

The full time spent across both stages.

Total Cost

€68.75

The total value of the time spent.

Time Cost Is One Part Of The Decision

At €75 an hour, 20 minutes to a usable result values the time spent at €25. Another 35 minutes going further adds €43.75. Together, that is 55 minutes and €68.75 in time value.

This is a value assigned to time, not necessarily money paid. Total Cost here means the total value of time across both stages. It does not include subscriptions, AI usage, tool charges or other expenses.

A lower number does not establish better quality or reliability. Extra work may be worth pursuing, but its value requires a separate judgement. If no usable result was reached, record a failed attempt separately in the comparison guide.

The broader Effective Task Cost Framework also covers software fees and operational costs. This simpler tool deliberately isolates human time.