How overtime pay is calculated
Overtime rewards hours worked beyond a normal schedule by paying them at a higher rate. The calculation has two parts: regular hours are paid at your base hourly rate, and overtime hours are paid at that rate multiplied by an overtime factor. Add the two together for total pay over the period.
The most common factor is time-and-a-half (1.5×), meaning each overtime hour pays 50 percent more than a regular hour. Some employers use double time (2×) for holidays or for hours past a further threshold. Enter whichever multiplier applies to your situation.
Reading the breakdown
The headline is your total pay; below it the result separates the regular and overtime portions. The chart shows how the total divides between the two, which makes clear just how much extra a handful of overtime hours can add.
Notice the leverage: at time-and-a-half, ten overtime hours are worth fifteen regular hours of pay. That is why overtime can lift a paycheck quickly even when the extra hours are relatively few.
Things to keep in mind
Overtime rules are set by law and by your employment terms, and this calculator does not encode them. Check the specifics before relying on a number:
- Eligibility depends on your classification; some salaried roles are exempt from overtime entirely.
- The hours threshold that triggers overtime varies by jurisdiction and contract — often beyond 40 in a week.
- The figures shown are gross pay before tax; overtime can also push earnings into a higher withholding bracket for the period.
- Confirm whether your multiplier applies to the base rate alone or includes shift differentials and bonuses.
Formula
regularPay = rate × regularHours; otPay = rate × otMultiplier × overtimeHours; total = regularPay + otPayFrequently asked questions
- What multiplier should I use?
- Time-and-a-half (1.5×) is the most common overtime rate. Some employers pay double time (2×) for holidays or hours beyond a threshold.