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What Is Time and a Half Pay? Formula, Calculator & Examples

2026-10-07

Time and a half means an employee earns 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for eligible overtime hours. This higher pay rate rewards employees for working beyond their normal schedule.

Quick answer

Time and a half pay means earning 150% of your regular hourly wage for overtime hours worked.

Formula:

Time and a Half Rate = Hourly Rate × 1.5

Example:

Many employees hear the term "time and a half" when discussing overtime, but not everyone understands how it works. In this guide, you will learn:

What is time and a half pay?

Time and a half pay means an employee receives this for each eligible overtime hour:

Regular Hourly Rate × 1.5

Here is what that looks like at common hourly wages:

Hourly Rate Time and a Half Rate
$15 $22.50
$20 $30.00
$25 $37.50
$30 $45.00

Time and a half is one of the most common forms of overtime compensation. Many employers use it as their standard overtime rate, though the exact rules depend on your location, employer, and job type. For a broader look at how overtime works, read what is overtime pay.

Calculate your time and a half pay

Use our Overtime Pay Calculator to instantly calculate:

How to calculate time and a half pay

Use this simple two-step formula:

Step 1: Time and a Half Rate = Hourly Rate × 1.5
Step 2: Overtime Pay = Time and a Half Rate × Overtime Hours

Example: $20 an hour, 10 overtime hours

Step 1: $20 × 1.5 = $30
Step 2: $30 × 10 = $300

Total overtime earnings: $300.

To find your total pay for the week, add your regular earnings. If you worked 40 regular hours and 10 overtime hours at $20 an hour:

40 regular hours × $20      = $800
10 overtime hours × $30     = $300
Total weekly pay            = $1,100

For more worked examples and different overtime rates, see our guide on how to calculate overtime pay.

Time and a half pay examples

Example 1: $15 per hour

Time and a half rate:     $15 × 1.5 = $22.50 per hour
8 overtime hours:         $22.50 × 8 = $180

Example 2: $25 per hour

Time and a half rate:     $25 × 1.5 = $37.50 per hour
5 overtime hours:         $37.50 × 5 = $187.50

Example 3: $30 per hour

Time and a half rate:     $30 × 1.5 = $45 per hour
12 overtime hours:        $45 × 12 = $540

When do employees receive time and a half?

The rules vary depending on the country, employer, union agreement, and labor laws. Common situations include:

In the United States, federal law generally requires non-exempt employees to receive at least one and a half times their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. Some states add their own rules, such as daily overtime. Employees should review their employment contract and local labor regulations to confirm eligibility.

Time and a half vs. regular pay

Time and a half pays 50% more per hour than your regular rate:

Hours Worked Pay Rate
Regular hours 100%
Overtime hours 150%

Using a $20 per hour wage:

Regular hour:             $20
Time and a half hour:     $30
Difference:               $10 more per hour

Time and a half vs. double time

Many people confuse time and a half with double time. Double time pays twice your regular rate and is usually reserved for specific situations, such as long shifts or certain holidays, depending on the employer or local rules.

Type Multiplier
Regular pay 1×
Time and a half 1.5×
Double time 2×

Here is how they compare using a $20 per hour wage:

Pay Type Earnings Per Hour
Regular $20
Time and a half $30
Double time $40

Our guide to overtime pay rates covers time and a half, double time, and other multipliers in more detail.

Common mistakes when calculating time and a half

Paying only the extra half

Time and a half means the whole overtime hour is paid at 1.5 times your rate, not just the extra 50%. At $20 an hour, the overtime rate is $30 per hour, not $10.

Not starting with the regular hourly rate

Time and a half calculations should generally start with the regular hourly rate. Dividing your gross weekly pay by total hours worked can give you the wrong rate, especially if part of that pay is already overtime.

Counting non-eligible hours

Not every extra hour automatically qualifies for overtime. Exempt employees, for example, are often not entitled to overtime pay. Always verify company policies and labor regulations.

Use our overtime pay calculator

Instead of calculating manually, use our Overtime Pay Calculator to instantly estimate:

Related overtime guides

You may also find these helpful:

Frequently asked questions

What does time and a half mean? It means earning 1.5 times your regular hourly wage for overtime hours worked.

How much is time and a half for $20 an hour? Time and a half for $20 an hour is $30 per hour, because $20 × 1.5 = $30.

How do you calculate time and a half? Multiply your regular hourly rate by 1.5, then multiply that rate by the number of overtime hours you worked.

Is time and a half the same as overtime? Often, yes. Many employers use time and a half as the standard overtime rate, though specific rules vary.

Is time and a half better than regular pay? Yes. Employees earn 50% more per overtime hour than their normal hourly rate.

Is time and a half the same as double time? No. Double time pays 2 times your regular rate, while time and a half pays 1.5 times.

Conclusion

Time and a half pay is one of the most common forms of overtime compensation. By multiplying your regular hourly rate by 1.5, you can quickly determine your overtime earnings and estimate how much extra income additional hours can generate.

To keep learning, read what is overtime pay, overtime pay rates explained, and how to calculate overtime pay.