Payroll calculator guide

Calculate Pay and Overtime: Free Overtime Pay Calculator

If you worked more than your regular schedule, the fastest way to estimate your paycheck is to separate regular pay from overtime pay. This guide shows the basic formula, common examples, and when state rules or extra earnings can change the result.

Need the quick answer?

Use PayRulesHub's free overtime calculator to estimate regular pay, overtime pay, and gross weekly pay from your hourly rate and hours worked.

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Basic pay and overtime formula

For most non-exempt hourly employees under federal overtime rules, overtime starts after 40 hours worked in a single workweek. The federal overtime rate is at least 1.5 times the employee's regular rate of pay.

Regular pay: regular hours × hourly rate
Overtime rate: hourly rate × 1.5
Overtime pay: overtime hours × overtime rate
Total gross pay: regular pay + overtime pay

Simple formula

Total pay = (regular hours × hourly rate) + (overtime hours × hourly rate × 1.5)

Example: calculate pay and overtime for a 47-hour week

Say you earn $20 per hour and worked 47 hours in one workweek. Under the standard federal weekly overtime rule, the first 40 hours are regular hours and the remaining 7 hours are overtime hours.

Regular pay: 40 × $20 = $800
Overtime rate: $20 × 1.5 = $30 per hour
Overtime pay: 7 × $30 = $210
Total gross pay: $800 + $210 = $1,010

What if you worked under 40 hours?

If your state follows the federal weekly threshold only, and you worked 40 or fewer hours in the workweek, you usually do not have overtime hours. In that case, gross pay is simply hours worked multiplied by your hourly rate. Some states, such as California, can require daily overtime even when total weekly hours are below 40.

When the overtime calculation can change

The simple time-and-a-half calculation works for many hourly workers, but payroll rules can become more complicated when different pay types or state-specific rules apply.

State overtime rules: California, Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, and some other jurisdictions can have daily overtime or other special thresholds.
Bonuses and commissions: certain non-discretionary bonuses, commissions, shift differentials, or incentive pay may need to be included in the regular rate.
Salaried non-exempt workers: some salaried employees still qualify for overtime, depending on salary level, duties, and classification.
Exempt employees: properly classified exempt employees may not be eligible for overtime even if they work more than 40 hours.

Use official overtime sources

PayRulesHub is designed for paycheck planning and education. For official rules, review the U.S. Department of Labor's overtime resources and your state labor agency. Federal rules are based on the Fair Labor Standards Act, but states can create more protective rules for workers.

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Educational disclaimer

This page provides general payroll education and calculator guidance. It is not legal, tax, or payroll advice. Actual pay can vary based on state law, employer policy, classification, benefits, deductions, bonuses, commissions, and withholding elections. Verify official rules with the U.S. Department of Labor, your state labor agency, or a qualified payroll professional.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate overtime pay?

Multiply your hourly rate by 1.5, then multiply that overtime rate by the number of overtime hours. Add that amount to your regular pay for the workweek.

Is overtime based on hours per day or per week?

Under federal FLSA rules, overtime is generally based on hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states have daily overtime rules, so the answer depends on where you work and which rule is more protective.

Does overtime affect take-home pay?

Yes. Overtime increases gross pay, which can also affect taxes and deductions. Use the overtime calculator for gross pay, then review deductions or use a take-home pay estimator for net pay planning.

Can I use this for salary overtime?

It depends. Some salaried workers are non-exempt and qualify for overtime, while properly classified exempt workers usually do not. If you are salaried but non-exempt, your regular rate may be calculated from your weekly salary and applicable hours.