Double Time Pay Calculator

Calculate double time pay for overtime, holidays, and special shifts.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Publication 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide

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Use the Double Time Pay Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Some hours pay at twice your regular rate, whether they fall on a holiday such as New Year's Day 2026, run past certain overtime thresholds, or cover special shifts. Pinning down that double time figure matters for budgeting, and even small errors can throw off a paycheck noticeably as living costs climb through 2026.

The calculation runs in two steps: double your regular hourly wage, then multiply that doubled rate by the number of hours worked at it. Put as a formula, that is (Regular Hourly Rate × 2) × Double Time Hours. A worker earning $25.00/hour, for instance, would see a double time rate of $50.00/hour.

Check whether your employer's double time policy lines up with federal and state labor law, since several states set their own triggers that go beyond federal overtime rules. It is easy to mix up double time with time-and-a-half, which pays 1.5 times the regular rate, so keep the two distinct and confirm that premium hours are logged as double time rather than ordinary overtime.

Example: 2026 New Year's Day Shift

  1. 1 Sarah, an hourly employee, earns $28.50 per hour. She worked an 8-hour shift on New Year's Day, January 1, 2026, which her company pays at a double time rate.
  2. 2 First, calculate her double time hourly rate: $28.50 (regular rate) × 2 = $57.00. Next, multiply this double time rate by the hours worked: $57.00 × 8 hours = $456.00.
  3. 3 Sarah's double time pay for her New Year's Day shift is $456.00.
  4. 4 This $456.00 represents her gross earnings for that specific double time shift. This calculation ensures she is accurately compensated for working on a recognized holiday at the premium rate. Remember, this does not include any regular hours worked during the same pay period or deductions for taxes and benefits.

Source: IRS — Publication 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I get double time pay?
Double time policies vary by employer and state. California requires double time after 12 hours in a workday and for hours worked beyond 8 on the 7th consecutive day. Federal law does not mandate double time; it only requires 1.5x overtime after 40 hours per week.
How do I calculate double time pay?
Multiply your regular hourly rate by 2. If you earn $25/hour, your double time rate is $50/hour. For salaried employees, first convert to an hourly rate by dividing annual salary by 2,080, then double it.
Is holiday pay automatically double time?
There is no federal requirement for double time on holidays. Holiday premium pay is at the employer's discretion. Many employers pay 1.5x or 2x for holidays worked as a policy or through union contracts, but it is not legally required.

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