How to calculate time and a half

Time and a half means 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for every overtime hour. The formula is simple, the mistakes are common. This guide walks through it step by step, with three worked examples and a full rate table.

Rules verified November 2026 · Sources: U.S. Department of Labor

Quick answer

Time and a half rate = your hourly rate × 1.5. At $20 an hour, overtime pays $30 an hour. Overtime pay = overtime hours × (rate × 1.5), and gross weekly pay = (40 × rate) + overtime pay. Under federal law, overtime hours are hours actually worked over 40 in the workweek.

What time and a half means

Time and a half is the federal overtime standard from the Fair Labor Standards Act: nonexempt employees must be paid at least one and one half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The "time" is your regular rate, the "half" is the 50 percent premium on top.

Time and a half rate = hourly rate × 1.5
Overtime pay = overtime hours × (hourly rate × 1.5)
Gross weekly pay = (40 × hourly rate) + overtime pay

The premium alone is worth knowing too. The extra amount above your regular rate, the "half", is what the federal no tax on overtime deduction is based on. At $20 an hour, each overtime hour carries a $10 premium.

Step by step calculation

Confirm the hours are overtime. Count hours actually worked in the workweek. Only hours over 40 count under federal law (California and a few states add daily rules).
Find your regular hourly rate. Your normal wage, adjusted for shift differentials, commissions, and nondiscretionary bonuses that belong in the regular rate.
Multiply the rate by 1.5. This is the time and a half rate for each overtime hour.
Multiply by the overtime hours. Overtime hours × the 1.5 rate = your overtime pay.
Add regular pay. 40 hours at the regular rate, plus the overtime pay, gives gross weekly pay.

Worked examples

Example 1: $15 an hour, 45 hours

Step	Math	Amount
Regular pay	40 × $15.00	$600.00
Time and a half rate	$15.00 × 1.5	$22.50
Overtime pay	5 × $22.50	$112.50
Gross weekly pay	$600.00 + $112.50	$712.50

Example 2: $20 an hour, 50 hours

Step	Math	Amount
Regular pay	40 × $20.00	$800.00
Time and a half rate	$20.00 × 1.5	$30.00
Overtime pay	10 × $30.00	$300.00
Gross weekly pay	$800.00 + $300.00	$1,100.00

Example 3: $25 an hour, 55 hours

Step	Math	Amount
Regular pay	40 × $25.00	$1,000.00
Time and a half rate	$25.00 × 1.5	$37.50
Overtime pay	15 × $37.50	$562.50
Gross weekly pay	$1,000.00 + $562.50	$1,562.50

Time and a half rate table

Look up any common wage. The third column shows the extra premium per overtime hour, the "half" that counts toward the federal overtime tax deduction.

Hourly rate	Time and a half rate	Extra premium per overtime hour
$10.00	$15.00	$5.00
$12.00	$18.00	$6.00
$15.00	$22.50	$7.50
$18.00	$27.00	$9.00
$20.00	$30.00	$10.00
$22.00	$33.00	$11.00
$25.00	$37.50	$12.50
$30.00	$45.00	$15.00
$35.00	$52.50	$17.50
$40.00	$60.00	$20.00
$45.00	$67.50	$22.50
$50.00	$75.00	$25.00

Common mistakes

Multiplying all hours by 1.5. Only hours over 40 get the premium. The first 40 pay at the regular rate.
Using the base wage instead of the regular rate. Shift differentials and nondiscretionary bonuses raise the rate, and therefore every overtime hour.
Counting paid leave as hours worked. Holiday, sick, and vacation hours do not push you toward overtime under federal law.
Averaging two weeks. A 50 hour week followed by a 30 hour week still owes 10 hours of overtime. Each workweek stands alone.
Assuming salary means exempt. Salaried nonexempt workers earn time and a half too. Salary is a pay method, not an exemption.
Stacking double time. An hour paid at double time is not also paid at time and a half. One hour, one premium.

Watch out: The 1.5 multiplier applies to the regular rate, not just the number on your offer letter. If bonuses or shift pay raise your regular rate, every overtime hour is worth more than base wage × 1.5.

Sources

Overtime rules on this page follow the U.S. Department of Labor overtime pay guidance and Fact Sheet 23: overtime pay requirements of the FLSA.

Frequently asked questions

What is time and a half for $20 an hour?

$30 an hour. Multiply $20 by 1.5. The extra premium over the regular rate is $10 per overtime hour.

Is time and a half mandatory?

Yes, for nonexempt employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act: hours over 40 in a workweek must be paid at least 1.5 times the regular rate. Exempt employees are outside this rule.

Does time and a half apply to salaried workers?

Yes, if the salaried worker is nonexempt. Salary is a pay method, not an exemption. A salary of $1,000 a week gives a $25 regular rate, and overtime hours pay $37.50 each.

What is the difference between time and a half and double time?

Time and a half is 1.5 times the rate; double time is 2 times. Double time applies in California after 12 hours in a day and under some contracts. One hour never earns both premiums at once.

Do holidays count toward time and a half?

No, not under federal law. Only hours actually worked count. A paid holiday in the same week as 40 worked hours gives zero overtime hours unless your employer policy says otherwise.