Calculate double time pay from your hourly rate and hours, with optional regular, time-and-a-half and double-time-and-a-half hours.
Double Time Pay Formula
Double time pays exactly twice your regular hourly rate for every qualifying hour:
DT = R * 2 * H
When a paycheck mixes pay tiers, each tier is computed at its own rate and summed:
Total = (R * Hreg) + (R * 1.5 * Hot) + (R * 2 * Hdt)
Variables:
- DT is total double time pay
- R is your regular hourly rate
- H / Hdt are hours paid at double time, Hot are hours at time and a half, and Hreg are regular hours
- 2 is the double time multiplier (200% of the regular rate)
Enter your rate and double time hours to get the double time rate and pay. Use the optional regular, time-and-a-half and double-time-and-a-half (2.5×) fields (blank means zero) to total gross pay for hours you have already classified into each tier. Each tier rounds to the nearest cent, with exact half cents rounded up, before summing. The calculator also shows the average earned per hour across all hours worked.
Double Time Rates by Hourly Wage
Common regular rates with their time-and-a-half and double time equivalents, plus double time pay for a 4-hour stretch.
| Regular rate | Time and a half (1.5x) | Double time (2x) | 4 hrs at double time |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $22.50 | $30.00 | $120.00 |
| $18.00 | $27.00 | $36.00 | $144.00 |
| $20.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $160.00 |
| $22.50 | $33.75 | $45.00 | $180.00 |
| $25.00 | $37.50 | $50.00 | $200.00 |
| $30.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 | $240.00 |
| $35.00 | $52.50 | $70.00 | $280.00 |
| $40.00 | $60.00 | $80.00 | $320.00 |
Example Problems
Example 1: You earn $22.50 per hour and work 4 hours that qualify for double time under your applicable policy or agreement.
The double time rate is 22.50 * 2 = $45.00 per hour.
DT = 45.00 * 4 = $180.00 for those hours.
Example 2: A covered, nonexempt California employee has a 14-hour workday at a $20 regular hourly rate, assuming the standard daily rule applies and no exception or alternative workweek changes it.
The first 8 hours are regular (8 * 20 = $160), hours 8 through 12 are time and a half (4 * 30 = $120), and the last 2 hours are double time (2 * 40 = $80).
Total = 160 + 120 + 80 = $360, an average of about $25.71 per hour worked.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you get double time?
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act does not require double time. Under California’s standard rule for covered, nonexempt employees, double time applies over 12 hours in a workday and over 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day worked in a workweek; exceptions and alternative workweek rules can apply. A holiday or Sunday alone does not establish entitlement. Applicable law, employment agreements and policies must be checked separately.
Is double time taxed more?
Double time remains wage income; it has no separate universal tax rate. Withholding can differ based on payroll treatment and total pay, while final income tax depends on annual income and other tax circumstances. This calculator does not estimate either withholding or tax.
What is double time and a half?
Double time and a half describes pay at 2.5 times the regular rate. At $20 per hour that is $50 per hour. Whether premiums combine depends on the applicable law, agreement and payroll policy; this calculator models only the 1x, 1.5x and 2x tiers.
