Overtime Pay Guide

How to Figure Time and a Half Pay

Multiply the regular hourly rate by 1.5, then multiply that rate by the qualifying hours. People search this for overtime, holidays, weekends, and special shifts. The math is simple, but the hard part is knowing which hours actually qualify. This guide is written for people who searched "calculating 1.5x pay for overtime or premium hours" and need the answer before opening a calculator.

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Direct answer

Multiply the regular hourly rate by 1.5, then multiply that rate by the qualifying hours.

Use this working rule: Time-and-a-half pay = hourly rate x 1.5 x qualifying hours.

Open Overtime Pay Calculator

Example with numbers

$20 per hour at time and a half is $30 per hour. For 6 qualifying hours, gross premium pay is $180.

Hourly rate: $20; time-and-a-half rate: $30; qualifying hours: 6; gross result: $180.

Comparison table
InputWhat to doResult
Known numberTime-and-a-half pay = hourly rate x 1.5 x qualifying hours.$20 per hour at time and a half is $30 per hour. For 6 qualifying hours, gross premium pay is $180.
Calculator checkEnter the same inputs in the related toolOpen Overtime Pay Calculator
Copyable noteSave the result with assumptionsHourly rate: $20; time-and-a-half rate: $30; qualifying hours: 6; gross result: $180.
Open Overtime Pay Calculator

Step-by-step check

Key checks
  • Confirm the regular hourly rate.
  • Multiply the rate by 1.5.
  • Count only qualifying premium hours.
  • Multiply the premium rate by qualifying hours.
  • Separate gross pay from take-home pay.

When this gets tricky

Do not apply time and a half to non-qualifying hours.

Do not assume holiday hours and overtime always stack.

Do not compare gross premium pay with net deposit.

Copy this result format

Hourly rate: $20; time-and-a-half rate: $30; qualifying hours: 6; gross result: $180.

Keep the inputs visible. That makes the answer easier to reuse in a timesheet note, payroll message, PTO request, or deadline explanation.

Related internal path

Related page: /tools/holiday-pay-calculator/

Related page: /guides/how-do-i-calculate-holiday-pay-time-and-a-half/

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Calculation

Time-and-a-half pay = hourly rate x 1.5 x qualifying hours. Example: $20 per hour at time and a half is $30 per hour. For 6 qualifying hours, gross premium pay is $180.

Next step

Open the related calculator after you know the inputs: Overtime Pay Calculator.

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FAQ Time and a Half Pay questions Open for common follow-up questions after the direct answer.

Time and a Half Pay questions

How to Figure Time and a Half Pay

Multiply the regular hourly rate by 1.5, then multiply that rate by the qualifying hours.

What is the formula?

Time-and-a-half pay = hourly rate x 1.5 x qualifying hours.

Which calculator should I use?

Use Overtime Pay Calculator when you want to test the exact numbers and copy the result.