How is overtime calculated?

Overtime pay = base hourly rate × overtime hours × overtime multiplier. The typical multipliers are 1.5× (time-and-a-half), 2.0× (double time) or a custom rate set by your contract. So 8 hours of overtime at £15/hour at time-and-a-half = 8 × 15 × 1.5 = £180.

Is overtime pay legally required in the UK?

No — there is no statutory right to overtime pay in the UK. Whether you get overtime, and at what rate, depends on your employment contract. The only requirement is that your total pay must not fall below the National Minimum Wage averaged over the pay period.

What about overtime in the EU?

The EU Working Time Directive caps the average working week at 48 hours over 17 weeks. Overtime rates vary by country: Germany typically 25–50% extra, France 25% for hours 36–43 then 50%, Spain minimum 75% on Sundays. Always check your contract and collective agreement.

How is overtime taxed?

Overtime is treated as ordinary income — taxed at your marginal income tax rate plus National Insurance. If overtime pushes you over a tax band threshold, only the income above the threshold is taxed at the higher rate. Use our Salary After Tax calculator for the post-tax figure.

What is double-time-and-a-half?

2.5× the base rate. Common for working on bank holidays, Sundays in some industries, or beyond a daily hour threshold (e.g., 12+ hour shifts). Set the multiplier to 2.5 to use this calculator for that case.

⏱️ Overtime Pay Calculator

Calculate your overtime pay at time-and-a-half, double time or any custom multiplier. Supports weekly, monthly and annual totals — UK, US and EU.

Currency

Base hourly rate

Standard hours / week

Overtime hours / week

Overtime multiplier

Double-time hours / week (optional)

💼 Gross only. Overtime is taxed at your marginal income tax rate. UK has no statutory right to overtime pay — confirm your contract terms.

Overtime Pay: Country by Country

United Kingdom

No statutory overtime right. Common contract rates are 1.5× weekday overtime, 2× Sundays and bank holidays. Total pay must not fall below the National Minimum Wage (£12.21/hour from April 2026 for workers 21+).

United States (Federal FLSA)

Non-exempt workers must receive 1.5× their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states (California, Alaska, Nevada) also require 1.5× for hours over 8 in a single day. Exempt salaried workers (administrative, executive, professional) generally do not qualify.

European Union

Germany: Often 25–50% extra; depends on the collective agreement (Tarifvertrag)
France: 25% for hours 36–43, 50% beyond 43, working week capped at 48
Spain: Minimum 75% extra on Sundays and bank holidays
Netherlands: No statutory rate; CAOs (collective agreements) typically specify 25–100% extras
Ireland: No statutory rate but most contracts specify 1.5× weekday and 2× Sunday

Common Pitfalls

Salaried employees with "reasonable extra hours" clauses may receive no overtime at all
"Time off in lieu" (TOIL) is an alternative — confirm whether 1 hour of overtime = 1 hour TOIL or 1.5 hours TOIL
Overtime can push you into a higher tax band; use our Salary After Tax calculator
Holiday pay calculations must include "regular" overtime under UK case law

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Important Note: Your overtime entitlement depends on your specific employment contract and any applicable collective agreement. This calculator computes gross overtime only — actual take-home will be lower after tax and NI.

Related Calculators

Paycheck Calculator — UK PAYE and US federal take-home pay with NI / FICA, pension or 401k.
Salary After Tax — Take-home pay for UK, Ireland, Germany, France & Spain.
Hourly to Salary Converter — Convert hourly wage to weekly, monthly and annual salary — UK & EU.