Frequently Asked Questions

Overtime pay is additional compensation that employers must pay to eligible employees who work more than a certain number of hours. Under federal law (FLSA), non-exempt employees earn 1.5 times their regular hourly rate (time and a half) for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Some states have additional rules including daily overtime thresholds.

Time and a half means 1.5 times your regular hourly rate. If you normally earn $20/hour, your overtime rate would be $30/hour. This is the standard overtime multiplier under both federal and most state laws.

California, Alaska, and Colorado have daily overtime rules. California requires overtime after 8 hours in a workday, Alaska after 8 hours, and Colorado after 12 hours. Nevada has a conditional daily overtime rule that applies to workers earning below 1.5 times the state minimum wage.

Double time means 2 times your regular hourly rate. In California, employees earn double time for hours worked beyond 12 in a single workday, and for hours beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive workday. If you earn $20/hour, your double time rate would be $40/hour.

Most hourly (non-exempt) employees are eligible for overtime under the FLSA. Salaried employees may be exempt depending on their salary level and job duties. Common exemptions include executive, administrative, professional, computer employee, and outside sales roles. Check with your state labor department for specific eligibility rules.

California has the most comprehensive overtime rules. You earn 1.5x for hours over 8 in a day, 2x for hours over 12 in a day, 1.5x for the first 8 hours on a 7th consecutive workday, and 2x for hours over 8 on the 7th day. Additionally, weekly overtime applies for hours over 40. You receive whichever calculation results in higher pay.

It depends on your state. In California, Alaska, and Nevada (under certain conditions), yes. In most other states, overtime is calculated weekly only, based on the 40-hour threshold. Working a long day does not automatically trigger overtime in states that follow federal rules.

Generally no. Under the FLSA, overtime must be calculated on a single workweek basis (7 consecutive days). Employers cannot average hours over two or more weeks to avoid paying overtime, except in specific situations like the 8/80 rule for healthcare workers.

Yes. TimeHalf is completely free to use. There are no subscriptions, hidden fees, or data collection. Calculate your overtime pay as many times as you need.

TimeHalf uses overtime rules sourced directly from state labor department websites and the US Department of Labor. However, overtime eligibility depends on many factors beyond hours worked, including exemption status, industry, and employer policies. This tool provides estimates for educational purposes. For legal advice, consult an employment attorney.