How to Calculate Overtime Pay (With Examples)
Overtime pay sounds complicated, but it comes down to one short formula and one number: your overtime multiplier. This guide walks through the math step by step, with real dollar examples for 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts.
The Overtime Pay Formula
Every overtime calculation uses the same core formula:
Overtime pay = Overtime hours × Hourly rate × Overtime multiplier
The overtime multiplier is almost always 1.5 (called "time and a half"). Some situations use 2.0 ("double time"), usually for holidays or unusually long shifts. To get your total gross pay for a day or week, you add your regular pay and your overtime pay together.
Step 1: Find Your Regular Hourly Rate
If you are paid hourly, this is simply your stated rate — for example, $20.00 per hour. If you are salaried but overtime-eligible, divide your weekly salary by the number of hours it is meant to cover. A $800 weekly salary based on 40 hours gives a regular rate of $20.00 per hour.
Step 2: Identify Your Overtime Hours
This is the step most people get wrong, because there are two common rules and they produce different answers:
- Daily overtime rule - Any hours worked beyond 8 in a single day are overtime. Common in many shift-based workplaces.
- Weekly overtime rule - Any hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek are overtime, regardless of how they fall across days.
Some employers apply whichever gives the worker more pay, and rules vary by region and contract. Always confirm which rule applies before you calculate. Throughout this guide we use the daily 8-hour rule, since that is the most common question we see.
Step 3: Apply the Multiplier
Multiply your overtime hours by your hourly rate, then by 1.5. Keep your regular hours separate and pay those at the normal rate.
Quick example: $20/hr, 2 overtime hours → 2 × $20 × 1.5 = $60 overtime pay
Worked Examples by Shift Length
These examples assume an hourly rate of $20.00, the daily 8-hour overtime rule, and that break time has already been removed (so "worked hours" means paid hours).
| Worked hours | Regular hrs | Overtime hrs | Regular pay | Overtime pay | Gross total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 hour shift | 8 | 0 | $160.00 | $0.00 | $160.00 |
| 10 hour shift | 8 | 2 | $160.00 | $60.00 | $220.00 |
| 12 hour shift | 8 | 4 | $160.00 | $120.00 | $280.00 |
Notice the pattern: the first 8 hours always pay the same. Every hour after that is worth 50% more, which is why long shifts get disproportionately valuable.
Overtime With a Shift Differential
If you also earn a night, weekend or holiday premium, that multiplier applies on top of the overtime calculation. For example, a 10-hour night shift at $20/hr with a 50% night differential: regular and overtime pay total $220, then × 1.5 for the differential = $330 gross. We cover this in detail in our guide to shift differential pay.
Double Time
Double time replaces the 1.5 multiplier with 2.0. It is less common than time and a half and usually tied to holidays or to hours worked beyond a high daily threshold. The formula is identical — just swap 1.5 for 2.0:
$20/hr, 4 double-time hours → 4 × $20 × 2.0 = $160
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Open the Shift CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
What is the formula to calculate overtime pay?
Overtime pay = overtime hours × hourly rate × 1.5. Find your regular hourly rate, multiply by 1.5 for the time-and-a-half rate, then multiply by your overtime hours. Add that to your regular pay for total gross pay.
How many hours before overtime starts?
It depends on the rule that applies to you. A daily rule treats hours over 8 in a day as overtime; a weekly rule treats hours over 40 in a week as overtime. Some workplaces use both, so always check which applies to you.
What is time and a half?
Time and a half means 1.5 times your normal hourly rate. At $20 per hour, your time-and-a-half rate is $30 per hour. It is the most common overtime multiplier.
What is double time pay?
Double time is 2 times your normal hourly rate. At $20 per hour, double time is $40 per hour. It often applies to holidays or very long shifts, depending on your employer or local rules.
How do I calculate overtime for a 10 hour shift?
On a daily 8-hour rule, a 10-hour worked shift has 8 regular hours and 2 overtime hours. At $20/hr that is (8 × $20) + (2 × $30) = $220 gross before tax.
This guide explains common payroll practice for general education. Overtime rules vary by country, state and employer — always confirm the rules that apply to your job.