Overtime Pay Calculator
Overtime rules by country
Overtime thresholds and multipliers vary significantly across jurisdictions. Always verify requirements with your local labor authority or legal counsel.
| Country | Weekly Threshold | Daily Threshold | OT Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Federal (FLSA) | 40h | — | 1.5× | 1.5× for all hours over 40/week. No daily OT under federal law. |
| California | 40h | 8h | 1.5×/ 2× | 1.5× after 8h/day or 40h/week. 2× after 12h/day or on the 7th consecutive day (after 8h). |
| United Kingdom | 48h | — | 1.5× | No statutory OT multiplier, but average pay must not fall below the National Minimum Wage. Max average 48h/week (opt-out available). |
| Australia | 38h | — | 1.5×/ 2× | 1.5× for first 2–3 OT hours; 2× thereafter (varies by Modern Award). 25% casual loading applies for casual employees. |
| European Union | 48h | — | 1.25× | EU Working Time Directive caps average at 48h/week. OT multipliers vary by member state — typically 1.25× to 2×. 11h minimum rest between shifts. |
What is overtime?
Overtime is any time an employee works beyond their standard working hours within a given period — typically a workday or workweek. In most jurisdictions, overtime hours must be compensated at a higher rate than regular pay to recognize the additional effort and to discourage excessive working hours.
The most common overtime rate is time and a half (1.5×) the regular hourly rate. Some jurisdictions and employment contracts require double time (2×) for specific situations, such as working on public holidays or beyond 12 hours in a single day.
Most common OT rate. Required under US FLSA for non-exempt employees.
Required in California after 12h/day. Common in some contracts and industries.
Many employment contracts specify custom OT rates above the legal minimum.
How to calculate overtime pay
Calculating overtime pay involves three values: your regular hourly rate, the number of overtime hours, and the applicable overtime multiplier.
Example: 48 hours at $20/hr (US Federal)
| Regular hours | 40h | $20.00 | 1.0× | $800.00 |
| Overtime hours | 8h | $20.00 | 1.5× | $240.00 |
| Total | 48h | — | — | $1,040.00 |
Without overtime, 48 hours would pay $960. With 1.5× OT, the employee earns $1,040 — an extra $80 for the same 8 hours.
Common overtime mistakes employers make
The most common FLSA violation. Labeling workers as exempt based on job title alone — without confirming salary level and duties — is illegal. Always verify against the current salary threshold and duties test.
Employees who answer emails, prepare for shifts, or complete tasks outside scheduled hours may be entitled to overtime for that time. Employers must track and compensate all hours worked.
Certain bonuses and incentive pay must be included in the regular rate of pay when calculating overtime. Failing to account for these results in underpayment.
Under the FLSA, overtime must be calculated within a single workweek — not averaged over two weeks or longer. A bi-weekly pay period does not allow you to average 40h/week across both weeks.
Private-sector employers cannot offer compensatory (comp) time in lieu of overtime pay. Only public sector employers can offer comp time under the FLSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tools & Resources
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