How overtime pay is calculated
Pay = regular hours × rate + overtime hours × rate × multiplier
Example: 46 hours at £15 with time and a half after 40 → 40 × £15 + 6 × £22.50 = £735.
Overtime rates at a glance
| Hourly rate | Time and a half | Double time |
|---|---|---|
| 10.00 | 15.00 | 20.00 |
| 12.00 | 18.00 | 24.00 |
| 15.00 | 22.50 | 30.00 |
| 18.00 | 27.00 | 36.00 |
| 20.00 | 30.00 | 40.00 |
| 25.00 | 37.50 | 50.00 |
| 30.00 | 45.00 | 60.00 |
Count your hours first
Not sure how many hours you worked? Add up your shifts with the work hours calculator, and turn 46:30 into 46.5 with the decimal hours converter. Working irregular hours in the UK? Your holiday builds up too: see the holiday entitlement calculator.
FAQ
How do I calculate time and a half?
Multiply your hourly rate by 1.5 to get the overtime rate, then multiply that by your overtime hours. At $20 an hour, time and a half is $30; 6 overtime hours pay $180 on top of your regular 40 hours ($800), so $980 for the week.
When do I get overtime pay in the US?
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must get at least 1.5 times their regular rate for every hour over 40 in a workweek. Some states go further: California, for example, also pays overtime after 8 hours in a day and double time after 12.
Is overtime pay a legal right in the UK?
No. UK law does not require extra pay for overtime; your contract decides whether it is paid and at what rate. Your average pay for all hours worked must not fall below the National Minimum Wage, and the Working Time Regulations limit the average working week to 48 hours unless you opt out.
What is double time?
Double time means twice your normal hourly rate. It is common for Sundays, bank holidays or very long shifts, depending on your contract or state law. Enter those hours in the "of which double time" field and they are paid at 2× instead of the overtime rate.
How do I work out my hourly rate from a salary?
Divide your annual salary by 52 weeks and by your regular weekly hours. £32,000 on 37.5 hours a week is 32,000 ÷ 52 ÷ 37.5 = £16.41 an hour. Open "Paid a salary?" above and the calculator does it for you.
Do salaried employees get overtime?
In the US, salaried employees are only exempt from overtime if they meet the duties tests and earn at least the federal salary threshold; otherwise they are owed time and a half too. In the UK it depends on the contract.
Legal basis and sources
- U.S. Department of Labor: Overtime pay (FLSA)
- GOV.UK: Overtime: your rights
- GOV.UK: Maximum weekly working hours
For information only. Your contract or specific circumstances may change the result.