Calculate overtime pay
Enter your base pay, normal working hours and overtime hours. Choose the overtime rate from your contract or use a common multiplier such as 1.5× or 2×.
How overtime pay is calculated
Overtime pay is usually based on your normal hourly rate, the number of overtime hours worked and the overtime multiplier set by your contract or employer agreement.
If you enter an annual salary, the calculator first estimates your hourly rate by dividing salary by annual working hours. It then applies the overtime multiplier to calculate extra gross pay.
base hourly rate = annual salary ÷ annual working hours
overtime hourly rate = base hourly rate × multiplier
overtime pay = overtime hourly rate × overtime hours
total period pay = regular pay + overtime pay
UK overtime pay rules to know
In the UK, overtime pay is usually controlled by your contract or workplace agreement. There is no automatic legal right to a higher overtime rate, but average pay for total hours worked must not fall below the National Minimum Wage.
Your written employment particulars or contract should normally explain what counts as overtime and what rate applies. Some employers pay normal time, some pay time-and-a-half, some pay double time, and some use time off in lieu instead of extra pay.
Check your contract: this calculator estimates the numbers only. It cannot tell you whether your employer must offer overtime, whether overtime is compulsory, or whether time off in lieu applies.
Example overtime pay calculations
These examples are gross pay estimates before tax, National Insurance, pension or student loan deductions.
| Base rate | Overtime hours | Multiplier | Overtime hourly rate | Overtime pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £15/hour | 10 | 1.5× | £22.50 | £225.00 |
| £20/hour | 5 | 2× | £40.00 | £200.00 |
| £12.71/hour | 8 | 1.25× | £15.89 | £127.10 |
Calculating overtime from annual salary
Salary-based overtime estimates depend heavily on the number of hours used. A £39,000 salary over 37.5 hours a week gives a different hourly rate from the same salary over 45 hours a week.
If you regularly work unpaid extra hours, the true hourly value of your salary can be lower than the contracted-hour estimate. For job comparisons, use realistic hours as well as contractual hours.
Convert salary to hourly first
Use the salary-to-hourly calculator if you want a more detailed hourly-rate breakdown.
Overtime pay before and after tax
This calculator shows gross overtime pay. Your final take-home amount can be lower after Income Tax, National Insurance, pension deductions and student loan repayments.
If overtime pushes your income into a higher tax band or increases student loan deductions, your after-tax overtime pay may feel lower than the headline gross amount.
Check the after-tax result
Add overtime to your salary and estimate the net monthly effect using the take-home pay calculator.
Working time and regular overtime
Overtime can also affect working time limits, rest and sometimes holiday pay calculations when it is regular enough to form part of normal pay. If your overtime pattern is frequent or compulsory, check your contract and official guidance.
The calculator does not decide whether overtime is voluntary, guaranteed, non-guaranteed or compulsory. It simply estimates pay from the hours and multiplier you enter.
Related overtime glossary terms
These terms help explain hourly pay, overtime rates and gross pay.
Overtime pay FAQs
Is overtime always time-and-a-half?
No. Time-and-a-half is common in some workplaces, but UK overtime rates depend on your contract, employer policy or agreement.
Can overtime be paid at normal rate?
Yes, if your contract or agreement allows it. The key legal minimum is that average pay for total hours worked must not fall below the National Minimum Wage.
Can I calculate overtime from salary?
Yes. Choose annual salary mode and enter your salary, weekly hours and weeks worked. The calculator estimates a base hourly rate first.
Does this show take-home overtime pay?
No. It shows gross overtime pay before tax and other deductions. Use the take-home pay calculator to estimate the after-tax result.