Overtime pay calculator (time and a half and more)
Enter your hourly or day rate, your normal hours, your overtime hours and a multiplier (time and a quarter, time and a half, double time or your own). You'll see the overtime rate, overtime pay, your total and your average per hour.
Time and a half: how to work it out
Time and a half means you're paid your normal hourly rate multiplied by 1.5 for the hours that qualify. The sum is always the same:
- Start with your hourly rate. If you have a day rate, divide it by the hours in your standard day (£160 ÷ 8 = £20 an hour).
- Multiply by 1.5 to get the overtime rate (£20 × 1.5 = £30 an hour).
- Multiply by the overtime hours (£30 × 6 = £180).
Choose ×1.5 in the calculator above to do this for your own figures. For quick reference, here is time and a half on some common hourly rates:
| Normal rate | Time and a half (×1.5) | Double time (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| £15.00 | £22.50 | £30.00 |
| £18.00 | £27.00 | £36.00 |
| £20.00 | £30.00 | £40.00 |
| £25.00 | £37.50 | £50.00 |
| £30.00 | £45.00 | £60.00 |
Common overtime multipliers
| Name | Multiplier | On £20/h |
|---|---|---|
| Time and a quarter | ×1.25 | £25.00 |
| Time and a third | ×1.333… | £26.67 |
| Time and a half | ×1.5 | £30.00 |
| Time and three quarters | ×1.75 | £35.00 |
| Double time | ×2 | £40.00 |
These are common conventions, not set rates. Which one applies, and to which hours, is whatever your contract or agreement says.
Worked examples
1. Hourly rate, time and a half. You earn £20 an hour and work 6 hours of overtime at ×1.5. The overtime rate is £30.00 and the overtime pay is 6 × £30.00 = £180.00.
2. Day rate, time and a quarter. Your day rate is £160 for an 8-hour day, so £20.00 an hour. You work a normal day plus 3 hours at ×1.25. Overtime is £25.00 an hour, so 3 × £25.00 = £75.00. The day comes to £160.00 + £75.00 = £235.00.
3. Double time. At £18.50 an hour, double time is £37.00 an hour. Four hours is 4 × £37.00 = £148.00.
4. A full day at time and a half. On a £165 day rate, a full day at ×1.5 is £165 × 1.5 = £247.50. If you invoice by the hour instead, the hourly rate is £165 ÷ 8 = £20.625, and 8 hours at £30.9375 is the same £247.50 as long as you round each line, not the rate.
5. The calculator's default. £20 an hour, 40 normal hours and 5 overtime hours at ×1.5: normal pay £800.00, overtime £150.00, total £950.00 for 45 hours, an average of £21.11 an hour.
Overtime is a contract matter
There's no single rule that tells you what overtime rate you must be paid. GOV.UK explains that employers don't have to pay workers for overtime, although average pay over the hours worked mustn't fall below the National Minimum Wage, and any enhanced rate depends on your contract. If you're self-employed, overtime, Saturday and Sunday rates are simply what you and your client agree, so put them in writing before the work starts. This page is a calculator and general guidance, not legal advice.
What about tax on overtime?
This calculator shows gross pay. As far as we know there isn't a separate tax rate for overtime: it's part of your income like the rest of your pay. If you're self-employed, tax is worked out on your profit for the year rather than on each payment, and if you work under the Construction Industry Scheme your contractor may deduct 20% or 30% from the labour part of your payment first. To see take-home pay after a CIS deduction, use our CIS deduction calculator. For tax questions about your own situation, check GOV.UK or ask an accountant.
Full week calculator with weekend rates
If your week mixes normal hours, overtime, Saturday and Sunday at different multipliers, use this version. It works out each line separately and rounds each to the penny.
With the default figures (£165 day, 8 hours, 40 weekday hours, 5 overtime hours at ×1.25, 4 Saturday hours at ×1.25), the result is £825.00 + £128.91 + £103.13 = £1,057.04.
Daily or weekly overtime: the same hours, two answers
Check which basis you agreed, because it changes the total. Take a £160 day rate (8 hours, so £20.00 an hour) with overtime at ×1.25 (£25.00 an hour). Someone works 10 hours Monday to Thursday and 4 hours on Friday: 44 hours in total.
| Basis | Working | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Overtime after 8 hours a day | Mon–Thu: 4 × (8 × £20.00 + 2 × £25.00) = £840.00; Fri: 4 × £20.00 = £80.00 | £920.00 |
| Overtime after 40 hours a week | 40 × £20.00 = £800.00; 4 × £25.00 = £100.00 | £900.00 |
The £20 gap is simply the rule you agreed. If your total differs from your agency's, ask which basis and which rounding they use before you assume either side has made a mistake.
Putting overtime on an invoice
Show the hours and rate on each line so the client can check it. "Overtime – 5h @ £25.78 = £128.91" is clear. See our overtime on invoices guide for layouts, the weekly timesheet invoice template for a day-by-day version, and bank holiday rates for contractors if those are priced differently. To turn a day rate into an hourly one first, see day rate to hourly rate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate time and a half?
Multiply your hourly rate by 1.5, then by the overtime hours. For example, £20 × 1.5 × 4 hours = £120. On a day rate, divide by your standard hours first.
How do I work out overtime on a day rate?
Divide your day rate by the hours in your standard day to get an hourly rate, multiply by your overtime multiplier, then by the overtime hours. £160 a day over 8 hours is £20 an hour, so 3 hours at ×1.25 is £75.
Is overtime taxed differently in the UK?
As far as we know there is no separate tax rate for overtime; it counts as ordinary income. This calculator shows gross pay before tax, National Insurance and any CIS deduction, and for your own situation you should check GOV.UK or ask an accountant.
Does my employer have to pay overtime?
Not necessarily. GOV.UK says employers don't have to pay for overtime, although average pay must not fall below the National Minimum Wage. Any enhanced rate depends on your contract. If you're self-employed, overtime rates are whatever you agree with your client.
Why is my total different from my agency's?
The usual causes are the overtime basis (after a set number of hours a day or a week), the multiplier, and when rounding happens. Ask which rule they've used and compare line by line.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change, so check the linked GOV.UK pages for the current position.