How the overtime calculator works
Overtime pay is your basic hourly rate multiplied by an overtime premium, then by the number of overtime hours. The calculator adds that to your basic pay for the week and shows the average you earn per hour across all the hours you worked.
Total pay = (basic rate × basic hours) + overtime pay
The common multipliers in the UK are:
| Name | Multiplier | On £14 an hour |
|---|---|---|
| Time and a quarter | 1.25× | £17.50 |
| Time and a third | 1.333× (four-thirds) | £18.67 |
| Time and a half | 1.5× | £21.00 |
| Double time | 2× | £28.00 |
Use the custom box for anything else, such as 1.75× for night shifts or 1.333× for time and a third.
Worked example: 5 hours at time and a half
You're paid £14 an hour for a 37.5-hour week and work 5 extra hours at time and a half.
- Basic pay: £14 × 37.5 = £525.00
- Overtime rate: £14 × 1.5 = £21.00 an hour
- Overtime pay: £21 × 5 = £105.00
- Total: £525 + £105 = £630.00 for 42.5 hours, an average of £14.82 an hour
Another example: on the National Living Wage of £12.71, a 40-hour week plus 4 hours at double time pays £508.40 + (4 × £25.42) = £610.08.
Do employers have to pay overtime?
There's no legal right to overtime pay in the UK. Your employment contract decides whether overtime is paid, at what rate, and whether it's compulsory. Some employers pay a premium, some pay the normal rate, some give time off in lieu (TOIL) and some, particularly for salaried managers, don't pay overtime at all.
Two legal limits still apply:
- Minimum wage: your average pay for all the hours you work in a pay period, including unpaid overtime, can't fall below the minimum wage for your age. From 1 April 2026 that's £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over. A salaried worker on £26,000 a year who regularly works 45 hours a week is on £11.11 an hour, which is below it. Check your pay with the minimum wage calculator.
- Working time: you can't be made to work more than an average of 48 hours a week, normally averaged over 17 weeks, unless you've opted out in writing.
Overtime and holiday pay
If you work overtime regularly, it should be included in your holiday pay. For the 4 weeks of statutory holiday that come from EU law, regular overtime, commission and certain allowances must be counted. The usual approach is to average your pay over the last 52 weeks you were paid. Voluntary overtime that's worked regularly counts as well as compulsory overtime.
Tax on overtime
Overtime is taxed in the same way as the rest of your pay, through PAYE. It can feel like it's taxed more because a bigger payslip may push some of that month's pay into a higher band, but over the tax year it evens out. The exception is the 60% tax trap between £100,000 and £125,140, where extra earnings really do lose more. Run your annual figure through the take-home pay calculator to see the after-tax effect, or start from your salary with the hourly rate calculator.
Tips
- Check whether your overtime only starts after a set number of hours in the week, or on a daily basis.
- Weekend and bank holiday rates are often separate from weekday overtime. Enter them in the custom box.
- Keep a note of your hours. If your payslip is wrong, a record of what you worked is the quickest way to get it fixed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate time and a half?
Multiply your hourly rate by 1.5. On £14 an hour, time and a half is £21 an hour, so 5 hours of overtime pays £105.
What is double time pay?
Double time is twice your basic hourly rate. On the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour, double time is £25.42 an hour.
Is overtime pay a legal requirement in the UK?
No. Whether overtime is paid, and at what rate, depends on your contract. However, your average pay across all hours worked, including overtime, must not fall below the minimum wage.
Is overtime taxed more?
No, it's taxed at the same rates as the rest of your income. A large overtime payment can push that month's pay into a higher band, but PAYE evens this out over the tax year.
Does overtime count towards holiday pay?
Regular overtime should be included in your holiday pay for the first 4 weeks of statutory leave. Holiday pay is normally based on your average pay over the previous 52 paid weeks.
Last reviewed October 2026 using 2026/27 figures. This calculator gives an estimate for guidance only.