Use this time and a half calculator and double time pay calculator to work out exactly what your overtime hours are worth. Time and a half pay is your regular hourly rate multiplied by 1.5, and double time pay is your regular hourly rate multiplied by 2. This guide gives you the formulas, ready-made rate tables, worked examples, and the US federal and state rules that decide when each rate applies.
Most workers only need to know one thing to use a time and a half calculator or double time pay calculator: multiply your hourly rate by 1.5 or 2, then multiply by the hours worked at that rate. This guide also covers the legal rules behind these rates, since not every extra hour automatically qualifies for time and a half or double time.
Quick answer: time and a half and double time formulas
- Time and a half pay = hourly rate × 1.5 × overtime hours worked.
- Double time pay = hourly rate × 2 × hours worked at double time.
- Example: at $20 an hour, time and a half is $30/hour and double time is $40/hour.
- US federal law generally requires time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek; double time is not a federal requirement, but some states and union contracts require it.
Want the full calculation done for you, including tax? Use our free overtime pay and take-home pay calculator.
Last updated: . Rates and rules current for 2026. Written by the Every Tools editorial team.
In this guide
- Time and a half and double time formulas
- Time and a half and double time rate tables
- When is time and a half legally required?
- When is double time legally required?
- State-by-state daily overtime and double time rules
- Worked example: mixed overtime and double time
- How much extra overtime hours add to your paycheck
- Time and a half in the UK
- Is overtime pay taxed differently?
- Common mistakes when calculating overtime pay
- How we calculated these figures
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
- Sources
Time and a half and double time formulas
Both formulas are simple multiplication, once you know your regular hourly rate and how many hours qualify for the higher rate.
- Time and a half rate = regular hourly rate × 1.5
- Time and a half pay = time and a half rate × overtime hours
- Double time rate = regular hourly rate × 2
- Double time pay = double time rate × hours at double time
For example, a worker earning $18 an hour who works 6 hours of overtime at time and a half earns an extra $162, calculated as $18 × 1.5 × 6. The same worker working 3 hours at double time instead would earn an extra $108, calculated as $18 × 2 × 3.
Time and a half and double time rate tables
The table below shows the time and a half and double time rate for common hourly wages, so you can check your own rate without doing the multiplication yourself.
| Regular hourly rate | Time and a half (1.5×) | Double time (2×) |
|---|---|---|
| $12.00 | $18.00 | $24.00 |
| $15.00 | $22.50 | $30.00 |
| $18.00 | $27.00 | $36.00 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 |
| $22.00 | $33.00 | $44.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 | $50.00 |
| $28.00 | $42.00 | $56.00 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 |
| $33.00 | $49.50 | $66.00 |
| $35.00 | $52.50 | $70.00 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 | $80.00 |
| $45.00 | $67.50 | $90.00 |
| $50.00 | $75.00 | $100.00 |
If your exact hourly rate is not listed, multiply it by 1.5 for time and a half, or by 2 for double time. For example, an unusual rate like $23.75 an hour becomes $35.63 at time and a half and $47.50 at double time.
When is time and a half legally required?
In the US, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires most non-exempt employees to be paid at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a single workweek, according to the US Department of Labor’s overtime guidance. This is a weekly threshold, not a daily one, under federal law. Salaried employees classified as exempt, typically certain executive, administrative and professional roles above a minimum salary threshold, are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA.
Working on a weekend or a public holiday does not automatically qualify for time and a half under federal law. Only actual hours worked over 40 in that specific workweek trigger the federal overtime requirement, unless your employer’s policy or a union contract promises more.
When is double time legally required?
Federal law in the US does not require double time pay at all. Double time exists only where a state law, a union contract, or a company policy specifically provides for it. California is the best-known example: state law requires double time for hours worked beyond 12 in a single workday, and for hours worked beyond 8 on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations overtime FAQ.
State-by-state daily overtime and double time rules
Most US states follow the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule with no separate daily overtime requirement. A small number of states go further and require daily overtime, and in some cases daily double time, regardless of total weekly hours.
| State | Daily overtime threshold | Daily double time threshold |
|---|---|---|
| California | Over 8 hours/day (1.5×) | Over 12 hours/day, or over 8 hrs on 7th consecutive day |
| Alaska | Over 8 hours/day (1.5×) | Not generally required |
| Nevada | Over 8 hours/day for some workers (1.5×) | Not generally required |
| Colorado | Over 12 hours/day (1.5×) | Not generally required |
| Most other states | No daily threshold (federal 40 hrs/week rule applies) | Not required by state law |
Always check your specific state’s current labor department guidance, since these rules can change and some states apply different thresholds to different industries.
Worked example: mixed overtime and double time
Consider a California worker earning $25 an hour who works a 14-hour shift in one day, with no other overtime that week.
| Hours | Rate applied | Pay for those hours |
|---|---|---|
| First 8 hours | Regular rate ($25.00) | $200.00 |
| Hours 9–12 (4 hours) | Time and a half ($37.50) | $150.00 |
| Hours 13–14 (2 hours) | Double time ($50.00) | $100.00 |
| Total for the 14-hour shift | $450.00 |
The first 8 hours are paid at the regular rate. The next 4 hours, from hour 8 to hour 12, are paid at time and a half under California’s daily overtime rule. The final 2 hours, beyond 12 hours in the day, are paid at double time. In total, this single shift adds an extra $250.00 on top of a standard 8-hour day’s pay.
How much extra overtime hours add to your paycheck
The table below shows how much extra gross pay different amounts of weekly overtime add at time and a half, for a range of common hourly rates.
| Base hourly rate | +5 hrs overtime | +10 hrs overtime | +15 hrs overtime | +20 hrs overtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00/hr | $112.50 | $225.00 | $337.50 | $450.00 |
| $20.00/hr | $150.00 | $300.00 | $450.00 | $600.00 |
| $25.00/hr | $187.50 | $375.00 | $562.50 | $750.00 |
| $30.00/hr | $225.00 | $450.00 | $675.00 | $900.00 |
Notice that overtime pay grows faster than regular pay for the same number of hours, because each overtime hour is worth 1.5 or 2 times as much as a regular hour. This is why even a few hours of overtime can meaningfully increase a weekly paycheck.
Time and a half in the UK
UK employers sometimes use the term time and a half informally, but UK law works differently from the US. There is no general legal right to enhanced overtime pay of any kind in the UK, so whether you receive time and a half, double time, or no extra rate at all for overtime depends entirely on your contract or your employer’s policy. Whatever you are paid, your average pay across the hours you work must still meet the National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage. If a UK employer does offer time and a half, the calculation works the same way as in the US: multiply your normal hourly rate by 1.5.
Time and a half for salaried, non-exempt employees
Some employees receive a fixed weekly salary but are still legally entitled to overtime pay, because their job duties or pay level do not meet the FLSA’s exemption tests. For these workers, the first step is converting the salary into an equivalent regular hourly rate: divide the weekly salary by the number of hours it is intended to cover, typically 40. A non-exempt employee earning a $800 weekly salary for a standard 40-hour week has a regular hourly rate of $20. Overtime hours beyond 40 in that week are then paid at time and a half of that calculated rate, exactly as with an hourly worker, on top of the base salary already covering the first 40 hours.
Is overtime pay taxed differently?
No. Time and a half and double time pay are taxed at exactly the same rate as your regular pay in both the UK and the US; there is no special overtime tax bracket. Overtime pay can look like it attracts more tax on a single payslip because a bigger paycheck can push part of that period’s pay into a higher tax band. Our detailed guide, is overtime taxed more?, explains this in full, including the temporary US federal deduction for qualified overtime pay available for tax years 2025 through 2028.
Time and a half and double time for piece-rate and commission workers
Calculating overtime is not always as simple as multiplying a single hourly rate. Workers paid partly or fully by piece rate, commission, or a non-discretionary bonus still have overtime rights under federal law, but the calculation uses a blended regular rate rather than a single stated hourly wage. The regular rate is calculated by dividing total straight-time earnings for the week, including commissions and non-discretionary bonuses, by total hours worked. Overtime is then paid at 1.5 times that blended regular rate for hours over 40, not simply 1.5 times a base hourly figure.
For example, a worker who earns $500 in piece-rate pay for a 45-hour week has a regular rate of about $11.11 an hour ($500 divided by 45 hours). The 5 overtime hours are then paid an extra 0.5 times that regular rate, on top of the straight-time piece-rate pay already earned, rather than using a separate flat hourly figure. This calculation gets more complex quickly, so workers in piece-rate, tipped, or commission-based roles should confirm their exact overtime calculation with their employer’s payroll department or their state labor office.
Common mistakes when calculating overtime pay
- Assuming double time applies automatically. Federal law never requires double time; only some states and contracts do.
- Confusing daily and weekly overtime rules. Federal law counts weekly hours over 40; a handful of states also count daily hours.
- Applying time and a half to salaried, exempt employees. Many salaried roles above a certain pay threshold are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA.
- Forgetting that holidays and weekends are not automatically overtime. Only hours that cross the relevant weekly or daily threshold qualify, unless your employer’s policy says otherwise.
- Using the wrong base rate. Time and a half and double time are calculated from your regular hourly rate, not from a rate that already includes a shift differential or bonus, unless required by your specific state’s rules.
How we calculated these figures
Every table in this guide uses simple multiplication of the regular hourly rate, so the same formulas apply to any hourly wage. We made the following assumptions:
- Time and a half is calculated as 1.5 times the regular hourly rate; double time as 2 times the regular hourly rate.
- The California worked example uses that state’s daily overtime and double time thresholds as of 2026.
- Weekly examples assume a standard 40-hour regular workweek before overtime hours begin.
- Figures do not include income tax, National Insurance, Social Security or Medicare deductions; see our take-home pay calculator for after-tax figures.
- All results are rounded to the nearest cent or penny.
State and federal overtime rules can change, so always confirm current requirements with your state’s labor department or the US Department of Labor before relying on these figures for payroll purposes.
Frequently asked questions about time and a half and double time
How do you calculate time and a half?
Multiply your regular hourly rate by 1.5, then multiply that figure by the number of overtime hours worked. At $20 an hour, time and a half is $30 an hour.
How do you calculate double time?
Multiply your regular hourly rate by 2, then multiply that figure by the number of hours worked at double time. At $20 an hour, double time is $40 an hour.
Is double time required by federal law?
No. Federal law in the US does not require double time pay at all. Only some state laws, such as California’s daily overtime rule, or union contracts and company policies, require double time.
After how many hours does time and a half start?
Under federal law, most non-exempt US employees are entitled to time and a half after 40 hours worked in a single workweek. A few states also require daily overtime after a set number of hours in one day, regardless of weekly total.
Does working on a weekend automatically mean time and a half?
No. Federal law does not treat weekend hours differently from weekday hours. Time and a half applies once total weekly hours pass 40, unless your employer’s policy specifically pays extra for weekend work.
Are salaried employees entitled to time and a half?
Only non-exempt salaried employees are entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA. Many salaried roles classified as exempt, typically certain executive, administrative and professional positions above a minimum salary level, are not entitled to time and a half or double time.
Is time and a half taxed at a higher rate?
No. Time and a half and double time pay are taxed using the same tax brackets as your regular pay; there is no special overtime tax rate in the UK or the US.
Does the UK require employers to pay time and a half?
No. UK law has no general right to enhanced overtime pay. Whether you receive time and a half, another rate, or nothing extra for overtime depends on your contract or employer policy.
Which US states require daily double time?
California is the best-known example, requiring double time after 12 hours worked in a single day, and after 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day worked in a workweek. Requirements vary by state, so check your specific state’s labor department.
How much extra does 10 hours of overtime add at time and a half?
At $20 an hour, 10 hours of overtime at time and a half adds $300 in extra gross pay for that week, on top of your regular 40-hour pay.
Summary: time and a half and double time calculator
Time and a half pay is your regular hourly rate multiplied by 1.5; double time pay is your regular hourly rate multiplied by 2. Federal law in the US generally requires time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek for non-exempt employees, but double time is only required by some state laws, such as California’s daily overtime rules, or by contract. In the UK, neither rate is a general legal requirement, so your contract decides. Whichever rate applies, the pay is taxed the same as your regular income.
Calculate your own overtime pay, including tax, with our free hourly to salary, overtime and take-home pay calculator.
Related guides on Every Tools:
- Hourly to salary, overtime and take-home pay calculator
- Is overtime taxed more? UK and US rules explained
- $22, $27 and $33 an hour after taxes
- National Living Wage 2026 take-home pay
- Hours calculator: a complete guide to accurate time tracking
Sources and further reading
- US Department of Labor: Overtime pay
- US Department of Labor: Fair Labor Standards Act
- California Department of Industrial Relations: Overtime FAQ
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
- GOV.UK: Overtime, bank holidays and pay
This article is for general information only. It is not legal, tax or payroll advice, and Every Tools is not affiliated with the US Department of Labor, any state labor agency, or HMRC.
