Overtime calculator

What is an overtime calculator?

An overtime calculator works out how much extra you earn for the hours you work beyond your normal schedule. In most pay systems, hours worked past a threshold (often 40 hours per week) are paid at a higher rate than your standard hourly pay. This calculator turns four simple inputs — your hourly pay rate, an overtime multiplier, your regular hours, and your overtime hours — into four results: the overtime rate, your regular pay, your overtime pay, and your total pay for the period.

The most common overtime multiplier is 1.5 (often called “time and a half”), but some employers and jurisdictions use 2 (“double time”) for holidays or extended shifts. By keeping the multiplier as an input, the calculator adapts to whatever rule applies to you.

How does the calculator work?

You provide:

1. Hourly pay rate — your normal pay for one hour of regular work.
2. Overtime multiplier — how much more each overtime hour is worth (1.5 by default).
3. Regular hours — the hours you worked at your standard rate.
4. Overtime hours — the hours you worked beyond the regular threshold.

The calculator then computes the overtime rate, separates regular pay from overtime pay, and adds them into a single total.

Formulas

The overtime rate is your hourly rate scaled by the multiplier:

$$\text{Overtime rate} = \text{Hourly rate} \times \text{Multiplier}$$

Regular pay covers the hours worked at your standard rate:

$$\text{Regular pay} = \text{Hourly rate} \times \text{Regular hours}$$

Overtime pay covers the extra hours at the higher rate:

$$\text{Overtime pay} = \text{Overtime hours} \times \text{Overtime rate}$$

Total pay is simply the sum of the two:

$$\text{Total pay} = \text{Regular pay} + \text{Overtime pay}$$

Examples

Example 1: Time and a half

Suppose you earn $20 per hour, work 40 regular hours and 10 overtime hours, with the standard 1.5 multiplier:

$$\text{Overtime rate} = 20 \times 1.5 = \$30$$ $$\text{Regular pay} = 20 \times 40 = \$800$$ $$\text{Overtime pay} = 10 \times 30 = \$300$$ $$\text{Total pay} = 800 + 300 = \$1{,}100$$

Example 2: Double time

Now suppose you earn $25 per hour, work 40 regular hours and 8 overtime hours at a 2.0 multiplier:

$$\text{Overtime rate} = 25 \times 2 = \$50$$ $$\text{Regular pay} = 25 \times 40 = \$1{,}000$$ $$\text{Overtime pay} = 8 \times 50 = \$400$$ $$\text{Total pay} = 1{,}000 + 400 = \$1{,}400$$

Frequently asked questions

What is the standard overtime multiplier?

The most common multiplier is 1.5, known as “time and a half.” Double time (a multiplier of 2) is also used in some workplaces, typically for holidays or very long shifts.

How do I calculate my overtime rate?

Multiply your normal hourly pay rate by the overtime multiplier. At $20 per hour with a 1.5 multiplier, your overtime rate is $30 per hour.

Does overtime pay get taxed differently?

Overtime pay is taxed as ordinary income. It can temporarily push you into a higher withholding bracket because of the larger paycheck, but the underlying tax rules are the same as for your regular wages.

How many hours count as overtime?

This depends on local rules and your contract. A frequent threshold is anything beyond 40 hours in a week, but always check the standard that applies to your job.

Can I use this for a flat overtime rate?

Yes. Divide your flat overtime rate by your hourly rate to find the equivalent multiplier, then enter that value. For instance, a $30 overtime rate on $20 base pay is a multiplier of 1.5.

To see how your earnings add up across a full year, try the annual income calculator, or convert between pay periods with the salary to hourly calculator.