About the California Overtime Calculator
California has the strictest overtime law in the US. Overtime is owed not only after 40 hours a week but after 8 hours in a single day, double time kicks in after 12 hours in a day, and working all seven days of a workweek triggers special seventh-day rates. This calculator applies all of those rules day by day so you can see exactly how many hours fall into each pay bucket.
Enter the hours worked on each of the seven days of your employer’s workweek (Day 1 is the first day of the workweek, not necessarily Monday) and your regular rate of pay. The result splits your hours into regular, time-and-a-half and double time, totals your gross pay and shows a day-by-day table, which is useful for checking a paycheck or estimating a long week.
It follows California Labor Code §510 as explained by the Labor Commissioner (DLSE) for non-exempt employees aged 18 or older. It does not handle alternative workweek schedules, agricultural workers (who have separate phase-in rules), meal and rest period premiums, or exempt employees. Your regular rate must include non-discretionary bonuses and shift differentials; the 2026 state minimum wage is $16.90 an hour.
With the default inputs, the total gross pay for the week is $1,312.50. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the california overtime calculator
- 1Enter your regular hourly rate, including any non-discretionary bonus or differential.
- 2Find the first day of your employer’s fixed workweek and enter it as Day 1.
- 3Enter the hours worked each day, leaving days off at 0.
- 4Read total gross pay and the regular, overtime and double-time hours.
- 5Check the day-by-day table against your pay stub.
Formula and method
Each day is split first: up to 8 hours are regular, hours over 8 up to 12 are overtime at 1.5×, and hours over 12 are double time. If the employee works all seven days of the workweek, the seventh day has no regular hours — the first 8 are paid at 1.5× and the rest at 2×.
The weekly test is then applied in day order: once regular (straight-time) hours reach 40, any further regular hours become overtime. Hours already paid as daily overtime or double time do not count towards the 40, so no hour is paid a premium twice. All premiums are based on the regular rate of pay, which must include non-discretionary bonuses, commissions and shift differentials.
- R
- Regular rate of pay per hour
- Reg
- Regular hours paid at straight time
- OT
- Overtime hours paid at 1.5×
- DT
- Double-time hours paid at 2×
Worked examples
Five days with one 13-hour shift at $25/hr
Days of 9, 10, 8, 13 and 8 hours give 40 regular hours. Daily overtime is 1 + 2 + 4 = 7 hours at $37.50, and the 13th hour on Day 4 is double time at $50. Pay is $1,000 + $262.50 + $50 = $1,312.50 — $112.50 more than straight time for 48 hours.
Six 8-hour days at $20/hr (weekly overtime)
No day exceeds 8 hours, so there is no daily overtime, but the sixth day pushes the week to 48 hours. The 8 hours beyond 40 are paid at $30, so pay is 40 × $20 + 8 × $30 = $1,040.
Working all seven days at $18/hr
Days 1–6 total 42 straight hours, so the last 2 hours on Day 6 become weekly overtime. Because all seven days were worked, Day 7’s first 8 hours are paid at 1.5× and the last 2 at 2×. Pay is 40 × $18 + 10 × $27 + 2 × $36 = $1,062.
Frequently asked questions
When does daily overtime start in California?+
Non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 8 in a workday, up to 12, and for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek. Hours over 12 in a day are paid at double time.
What is the 7th day overtime rule?+
If you work every day of your employer’s seven-day workweek, the seventh day is paid at 1.5× for the first 8 hours and 2× for any hours beyond 8. Working seven days in a row that span two different workweeks does not trigger the rule.
Do daily overtime hours count toward the 40-hour weekly limit?+
No. When calculating weekly overtime, only hours paid at straight time count towards 40. Hours already paid as daily overtime or double time are excluded so you are not paid two premiums for the same hour.
Who is exempt from California overtime?+
Executive, administrative and professional employees who earn at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time work (about $70,304 a year in 2026) and mainly perform exempt duties are exempt, as are some other groups such as outside salespeople. Job titles alone do not make someone exempt.
What is an alternative workweek schedule?+
Employers can adopt an alternative schedule, such as four 10-hour days, by a secret-ballot vote of at least two-thirds of affected employees. Overtime is then owed only beyond the scheduled day (up to 12 hours) and 40 hours a week. This calculator assumes a standard schedule.
What is the regular rate of pay?+
It is the hourly rate used to calculate overtime and includes the base hourly wage plus non-discretionary bonuses, piece-rate earnings, commissions and shift differentials. It can be higher than your hourly wage, which raises your overtime rate.
Results are general estimates and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction — consult a qualified attorney.