Federal law requires overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, for covered non-exempt employees.
How it works
The first 40 hours are paid at the regular rate. Every hour beyond 40 is paid at 1.5 times that rate — not the full week at the overtime rate, only the hours actually over the 40-hour threshold.
What this does not include
The DOL source notes the “regular rate” used for overtime calculations can include more than base hourly pay — certain bonuses and other compensation may need to be folded in under the FLSA’s regular-rate rules, which this simplified hourly-rate calculator doesn’t model.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the regular hourly rate and total hours worked in the week.
A worked example
$20/hour rate, 45 hours worked: regular pay (40 hrs) = $800, overtime pay (5 hrs at 1.5×) = $150, total pay = $950.
The same rate, 35 hours worked (under 40): regular pay = $700, overtime pay = $0 — no overtime triggered below the 40-hour threshold.
What the variables mean
| Variable | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Regular hourly pay rate |
| Hours worked | Total hours worked in the period |
Edge cases worth knowing
Overtime only applies to hours beyond 40 in a week under standard federal rules. Working 45 hours pays 40 at the regular rate and only the extra 5 at time-and-a-half, not all 45 hours at the premium rate.
An hourly rate of zero makes the calculation meaningless, so the calculator declines to show a result for that input.
Frequently asked questions
Does everyone qualify for overtime?
No — the FLSA exempts certain categories of employees (based on job duties and salary level) from overtime requirements; this calculator assumes a covered, non-exempt employee.
Is overtime based on a workweek or a pay period?
A workweek — a fixed, recurring 168-hour period the employer defines, which doesn’t have to match the calendar week or the pay period.
Does working 10 hours in one day always trigger overtime?
Under federal law, no — the FLSA’s overtime trigger is 40 hours in a workweek, not hours in a single day, though some states impose daily overtime rules this calculator doesn’t cover.
