What Is Time and a Half?
By Atharv · Updated July 19, 2026
Time and a half means being paid 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for qualifying overtime hours. If you normally earn $20 an hour, overtime hours pay $30. The math is simple; knowing exactly which hours qualify is where people get tripped up.
When Time and a Half Applies
- Over 40 hours in a workweek: the standard federal rule for hourly (non-exempt) employees.
- Over 8 hours in a day: added by some states, most prominently California.
- Weekends and holidays: not automatically. Premium pay for these is an employer benefit, not a general legal requirement, unless the hours push you past a threshold above.
How to Calculate It
Overtime rate = regular hourly rate × 1.5
Overtime pay = overtime rate × overtime hours
Example: you earn $18 per hour and work 46 hours in a week. The first 40 hours pay $18 × 40 = $720. The 6 overtime hours pay $27 × 6 = $162. Total for the week: $882.
Time and a Half Pay Chart
| Regular Rate | Time and a Half (1.5×) |
|---|---|
| $12.00 | $18.00 |
| $13.00 | $19.50 |
| $14.00 | $21.00 |
| $15.00 | $22.50 |
| $16.00 | $24.00 |
| $17.00 | $25.50 |
| $18.00 | $27.00 |
| $19.00 | $28.50 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 |
| $22.00 | $33.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 |
| $28.00 | $42.00 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 |
| $35.00 | $52.50 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 |
Skip the Math Entirely
Our free overtime calculator splits your week into regular and overtime hours automatically, using weekly or daily rules, and shows total pay at your rate, with overtime at 1.5× built in. For the two-week version, use the bi-weekly calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is time and a half for $20 an hour?
$30 per hour. Multiply your regular rate by 1.5: $20 × 1.5 = $30 for every overtime hour worked.
When do I get time and a half?
The standard rule is for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states also require it for hours over 8 in a single day. Weekend or holiday work does not automatically qualify unless it pushes you over those thresholds or your employer's policy says so.
Is holiday pay time and a half?
Not automatically. Federal law does not require premium pay just because a day is a holiday. Many employers offer it as a benefit, so check your company's policy.
Does PTO count toward overtime?
Generally no. Overtime is based on hours actually worked, so a week with 32 worked hours plus 8 hours of PTO is typically 40 hours of pay with no overtime.
Written by Atharv
Solo maker of My Time Card Calculator, a set of free, private tools for tracking work hours, breaks, overtime, and pay. More about this site.