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Online Calculators

Time and a Half Explained

Understand what time and a half means, how to calculate it, and common examples of time and a half pay.

What is time and a half?

Time and a half is a pay rate that is 1.5 times your regular hourly wage. It is the standard overtime rate required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek.

How to calculate time and a half

The formula is simple:

Time and a half rate = hourly rate × 1.5

Here are some common examples:

Regular Rate Time and a Half Double Time
$10/hr $15.00/hr $20.00/hr
$12/hr $18.00/hr $24.00/hr
$15/hr $22.50/hr $30.00/hr
$20/hr $30.00/hr $40.00/hr
$25/hr $37.50/hr $50.00/hr
$30/hr $45.00/hr $60.00/hr

What is overtime for $15 an hour?

If you earn 15perhour,yourtime−and−a−halfovertimeratewillbe∗∗15 per hour, your time-and-a-half overtime rate will be **22.50 per hour** (15×1.5).Ifyouearndoubletime,yourovertimeratewillbe∗∗15 × 1.5). If you earn double time, your overtime rate will be **30 per hour** ($15 × 2).

Full calculation example

Let's say you earn $20/hour and work 50 hours in a week:

  1. Regular pay: 40 hours × 20=∗∗20 = **800**
  2. Overtime hours: 50 - 40 = 10 hours
  3. Overtime rate: 20×1.5=∗∗20 × 1.5 = **30/hour**
  4. Overtime pay: 10 hours × 30=∗∗30 = **300**
  5. Total weekly pay: 800+800 + 300 = $1,100

Without overtime, you would have earned 1,000(50×1,000 (50 × 20). The overtime premium earned you an extra $100 on top of your regular rate.

When does time and a half apply?

Under federal law (FLSA), time and a half applies when:

  • You work more than 40 hours in a single workweek
  • You are a non-exempt employee (not salaried management, certain professionals, etc.)

Daily overtime rules

Some states have additional daily overtime rules:

  • California: Overtime after 8 hours/day or after 12 hours/day (double time)
  • Alaska: Overtime after 8 hours/day
  • Nevada: Overtime after 8 hours/day (for employees earning less than 1.5x minimum wage)
  • Colorado: Overtime after 12 hours/day

Time and a half for different pay types

If you're not paid hourly, you can still calculate your time and a half rate:

  • Daily pay: Divide by 8 to get hourly, then multiply by 1.5
  • Weekly pay: Divide by standard hours (40), then multiply by 1.5
  • Monthly pay: Divide by (4.33 × standard hours), then multiply by 1.5
  • Annual salary: Divide by (52 × standard hours), then multiply by 1.5

Tips for tracking overtime

  • Keep a personal log of your daily hours
  • Review your pay stubs regularly
  • Understand your company's overtime policy
  • Know your state's specific overtime laws
  • Document any verbal agreements about overtime