Overtime Pay Calculator
Hours in, pay split out — regular, overtime and double time, with the total.
Gross pay before deductions. Overtime rules vary — check yours.
How overtime pay is built up
Overtime is a banded calculation, not a single multiplier applied to the whole week. Hours up to the threshold are paid at your ordinary rate; only the hours past it attract the premium. Some jurisdictions add a second band at double the ordinary rate once the week or the day gets long enough. Splitting the week into those bands is the whole job, and it is where payslip disputes usually start.
Worked example 1: a standard week with six extra hours
At 20.00 per hour, 46 hours worked, with overtime after 40: the first 40 hours pay 40 x 20 = 800. The remaining 6 hours pay 6 x 20 x 1.5 = 180. Gross for the week is 980. The premium portion — the extra half-rate — is 60, which is the number to check if your employer lists base and premium separately.
Worked example 2: adding a double-time band
Same rate, 64 hours, overtime after 40 and double time after 60. Regular: 40 x 20 = 800. Overtime band: hours 40 to 60 = 20 hours at 30 = 600. Double band: hours 60 to 64 = 4 hours at 40 = 160. Total 1,560. Notice the double band replaces the overtime rate rather than stacking on top of it.
Common overtime thresholds
| Rule | Threshold | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| US federal (FLSA) | Over 40 hours per week | 1.5x |
| California daily | Over 8 hours per day | 1.5x |
| California long day | Over 12 hours per day | 2x |
| Seventh consecutive day | First 8 hours | 1.5x |
| UK | No statutory premium | Contract terms |
What this calculator does not decide
It works out the money once you supply the rule; it cannot tell you which rule applies to you. Eligibility turns on your classification, and being paid a salary does not by itself make you exempt — the tests look at duties and a minimum salary level. If your employer treats you as exempt and the duties do not match, the amount you are owed may be quite different from the figure on your payslip.
The numbers here are gross, before tax and any deductions, and they assume a single ordinary rate. Shift differentials, bonuses that must be folded into the regular rate, and piece-rate work all change the base the premium is calculated on. Use this for a quick check against a payslip; use your contract and local rules for anything you intend to act on.
Sources & further reading
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division — federal overtime pay rules under the FLSA
- DOL — Fair Labor Standards Act overview, including exempt vs. non-exempt classification
- GOV.UK — overtime rights and pay in the United Kingdom
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — data on hours worked and average hourly earnings
Frequently asked questions
How is overtime pay calculated?
Hours up to the threshold are paid at your normal rate. Hours beyond it are paid at the multiplier, usually 1.5. At 20 per hour and 46 hours with a 40-hour threshold: 40 x 20 = 800 regular, plus 6 x 30 = 180 overtime, giving 980 gross.
When does double time apply?
It is not federal law in the US — it comes from state rules or a contract. California pays double time beyond 12 hours in a day and beyond 8 hours on the seventh consecutive workday. Set the double-time threshold to match your rule, or leave it high to disable it.
Does my salary make me exempt from overtime?
Not automatically. Exemption depends on duties and a salary floor, not on being paid a salary alone. Many salaried employees are still owed overtime, so if you are unsure, check the exemption tests that apply where you work rather than assuming.