How Is Overtime Pay Calculated? (Time and a Half & Double Time)
Updated June 12, 2026 · PayCalc Editorial
Overtime can add up fast — if you know how it is calculated. Here is how time and a half and double time work.
The federal rule: time and a half over 40 hours
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. At $20 an hour, each overtime hour pays $30.
Time and a half formula
Overtime pay = hourly rate × 1.5 × overtime hours. So 10 overtime hours at $20/hour = $20 × 1.5 × 10 = $300.
Double time
Double time (2× pay) is not required federally, but some states require it — for example California, for hours over 12 in a single day — and many employers offer it for holidays.
Add up your own overtime with the overtime calculator.