Overtime Pay Calculator

How Overtime Pay Works

Overtime pay is additional compensation you earn when you work beyond a standard number of hours. In many places, this threshold is 40 hours in a workweek, but some regions also use daily limits (for example, more than 8 hours in a day). Employers pay a higher rate for those extra hours to recognize the added time and effort. This calculator helps you estimate your gross pay for a pay period when you have a mix of regular hours, overtime hours, and double-time hours.

The core idea is that your hourly wage is multiplied by different factors depending on whether the hours are regular, overtime, or double-time. Regular hours are paid at your base rate. Overtime hours are paid at a premium (often 1.5 times your base rate, called “time-and-a-half”). Double-time hours are paid at an even higher premium, commonly 2 times your base hourly rate.

Because overtime rules differ by country, state or province, and even by contract or union agreement, this calculator is designed to be flexible. You can enter your own overtime and double-time multipliers, so the estimate can match your particular situation as closely as possible. The result is an estimate of your gross pay (before taxes and other deductions) for the selected period.

Overtime Pay Formula

This calculator uses a straightforward formula that adds together three components: regular pay, overtime pay, and double-time pay. The variables are:

• W – hourly wage
• R – regular hours worked
• O – overtime hours worked
• m – overtime multiplier (for example, 1.5 for time-and-a-half)
• D – double-time hours worked
• d – double-time multiplier (for example, 2 for double-time)

The total gross pay T is calculated as:

In plain language, that means:

• Regular pay = hourly wage × regular hours
• Overtime pay = hourly wage × overtime hours × overtime multiplier
• Double-time pay = hourly wage × double-time hours × double-time multiplier

The calculator adds those three amounts to give you a single total gross pay estimate.

How to Use This Overtime Pay Calculator

You can use the inputs on this page to model different work schedules and pay arrangements. Here is how each field is typically used:

• Hourly Wage ($) – Enter your base hourly rate before any overtime multipliers. For example, if you earn $20 per hour, type 20.
• Regular Hours – Enter the number of hours in the pay period that are paid at the normal rate. For a standard 40-hour workweek, you might enter 40.
• Overtime Hours – Enter the number of hours that qualify for overtime. For example, if you worked 45 hours in a week and overtime starts after 40 hours, you would enter 5.
• Overtime Multiplier – Enter the overtime rate expressed as a multiplier of your base wage. Common values are 1.5 for time-and-a-half or 1.75 for a higher overtime premium.
• Double-Time Hours – Enter the number of hours that qualify for double-time. Some employers use double-time for holidays, rest-day work, or very long shifts.
• Double-Time Multiplier – Enter the double-time rate as a multiplier. A typical value is 2, meaning twice your normal hourly wage.

After entering your numbers, run the calculation to see your estimated total gross pay. You can change any value to explore different scenarios, such as taking on more overtime, changing your base rate, or testing how holiday work might affect your paycheck.

Interpreting Your Results

The output of the calculator is a single number representing your total gross pay for the period you modeled. This amount combines regular pay, overtime pay, and any double-time pay based on the inputs you provided.

Keep the following points in mind when interpreting the result:

• The figure does not include taxes, Social Security, national insurance, or other statutory deductions.
• The figure does not include voluntary deductions such as retirement contributions, health insurance premiums, or union dues.
• Bonuses, shift differentials, commissions, tips, or allowances are not included unless you manually adjust your hourly rate or hours to approximate them.
• The calculator assumes a single base hourly wage for all types of hours; it does not handle multiple wage tiers in the same period.

If your actual paycheck differs from the estimate, compare your pay stub line by line. Look for differences in how overtime is defined (for example, weekly vs. daily), whether certain hours were classified as regular instead of overtime, and what deductions were applied. If you still have questions, you may want to contact your HR or payroll department for clarification.

Worked Example

The sample values in the calculator demonstrate a common scenario. Suppose you have the following details for a weekly pay period:

• Hourly wage (W): $20
• Regular hours (R): 40
• Overtime hours (O): 5
• Overtime multiplier (m): 1.5
• Double-time hours (D): 0
• Double-time multiplier (d): 2 (not used here because D = 0)

Step-by-step calculation:

1. Regular pay = W × R = 20 × 40 = $800
2. Overtime pay = W × O × m = 20 × 5 × 1.5 = 20 × 7.5 = $150
3. Double-time pay = W × D × d = 20 × 0 × 2 = $0

Add them together:

• Total pay T = $800 + $150 + $0 = $950

If you adjust the overtime multiplier to 2 instead of 1.5, your overtime pay becomes 20 × 5 × 2 = $200, and your total pay would be $800 + $200 = $1,000. This shows how sensitive total earnings are to the multiplier you enter.

Comparison of Example Scenarios

The table below compares a few example scenarios that illustrate how different combinations of hours and multipliers affect total gross pay.

These examples highlight several useful insights:

• Even a modest number of overtime hours can raise your total pay noticeably.
• Double-time hours, though often limited, can have a large impact because they are usually paid at twice your regular rate.
• Raising the overtime multiplier from 1.5 to 1.75 or 2 can significantly increase total earnings, which is why the exact rate in your contract or labor agreement matters.

Using Overtime Estimates for Budgeting and Paycheck Review

Overtime can make up a substantial share of income for many workers. Accurate estimates help you:

• Plan your budget – If your hours change from week to week, you can use the calculator to project your gross pay under different scenarios and plan expenses accordingly.
• Check your paycheck – After you receive a pay stub, you can plug in the hours and rates used to confirm that your employer applied the correct multipliers and totals.
• Evaluate extra shifts – When you are offered additional hours, you can quickly see how much extra gross pay those hours could generate, based on whether they count as regular, overtime, or double-time.
• Compare job offers – If two employers offer similar base wages but different overtime policies, you can model typical weeks to see which arrangement might pay more over time.

Remember that your net pay (what you take home) will be lower than the gross pay shown here due to taxes and deductions. Still, knowing the gross figure is a useful starting point when making decisions about work schedules and financial commitments.

Important Notes and Limitations

While this calculator is designed to be practical and flexible, it is based on simplified assumptions. Understanding those assumptions will help you use the results appropriately.

• Gross pay only – The result represents gross pay before taxes, withholdings, and other deductions. It is not an estimate of take-home pay.
• No taxes or deductions – The calculator does not account for income tax, payroll tax, social contributions, health insurance, retirement savings, or any other deductions that may reduce your net pay.
• Single hourly rate – It assumes one base hourly wage applies to all regular, overtime, and double-time hours, adjusted only by the multipliers you enter.
• Manual multipliers – Overtime and double-time multipliers are entered manually. The calculator does not determine which hours qualify as overtime or double-time under local law; you must supply the correct hours and multipliers for your situation.
• No rounding rules – The tool uses straightforward decimal arithmetic and does not simulate employer-specific rounding rules (such as rounding to the nearest 6 minutes or quarter-hour).
• Jurisdiction differences – Overtime rules vary widely. Some places use weekly thresholds (for example, more than 40 hours in a week), others use daily thresholds (for example, more than 8 hours in a day), and some impose special rules for weekends or holidays. Always confirm which rules apply to you.
• Informational use only – Results are for informational and educational purposes and do not constitute legal, tax, or payroll advice.

If you need a precise calculation tailored to your location, employment contract, union agreement, and tax situation, consult your employer’s payroll department, an accountant, or a qualified advisor. Use this calculator as a quick way to understand how different combinations of regular, overtime, and double-time hours affect your overall gross pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does overtime pay start?

In many places, overtime starts after 40 hours worked in a week, but the exact threshold can differ. Some regions require overtime after more than 8 hours in a single day, and others have special rules for weekends, nights, or holidays. Always check your local labor laws or your employment contract to see when overtime begins for you.

What is the difference between overtime and double-time?

Overtime usually means you are paid more than your regular rate, often at time-and-a-half (1.5 times your hourly wage). Double-time is a higher premium where you are paid twice your regular hourly rate. Employers may use double-time for specific situations such as holidays, rest days, or very long shifts.

Does this calculator show net pay after taxes?

No. The calculator shows estimated gross pay before any taxes, deductions, or benefits. Your actual take-home pay will be lower once those amounts are subtracted.

Can this calculator replace legal or payroll advice?

No. The tool is a general-purpose estimator and does not know the details of your local laws or your specific contract. If you have concerns about whether you are being paid correctly, use this calculator as a rough guide, then review your pay stub and speak with a payroll professional or legal advisor if needed.

How often should I use this calculator?

You can use it any time your hours or pay structure change—such as when you work overtime, take on holiday shifts, or receive a raise. It is also useful for checking each new pay stub, planning for upcoming pay periods, or comparing potential job opportunities that have different overtime policies.