Double Time Pay Calculator
Split California day hours into regular, time and a half, and double time pay.
What it does
California daily overtime splits one shift into three pay bands. Eight hours run straight, hours 9 to 12 run at time and a half, and anything past 12 doubles, so a 14 hour day at $20 totals $360, not $280.
The tool above takes day hours and hourly rate. It returns regular, overtime, double time, and the day total, so long healthcare, warehouse, and film shifts read exactly.
This math fits the standard California daily rule with no alternative schedule. It does not fit weekly 40 hour overtime, seventh day premiums, or union contracts with their own bands.
State law frames the same tiers: over 8 daily at no less than 1.5x and over 12 at no less than double. Federal rules set the 40 hour weekly floor beneath them, with the higher standard winning where both apply.
Enter actual clock hours for the single day. Weekly totals and second jobs need their own runs outside daily bands.
How to use
- Enter total hours worked in the one day.
- Enter the regular hourly rate.
- Read regular pay first for the 8 hour base.
- Read overtime for hours 9 to 12.
- Read double time for hours past 12.
- Read day total for the paycheck line.
Formula
- hours
- Total hours worked in the single workday.
- rate
- Regular hourly dollars.
- bands
- 8 straight, 4 at 1.5x, rest at 2x.
Zero hours give zeros throughout. Exactly 8 hours stays all regular, exactly 12 adds 4 overtime hours with no double time. Alternative schedules and seventh day rules sit outside.
Worked example
Example: 14 hours at $20 in California
Day hours 14, hourly rate 20.
- Regular: 8 x 20 = $160.00.
- Overtime: 4 x 20 x 1.5 = $120.00.
- Double: 2 x 20 x 2 = $80.00.
- Total: 160 + 120 + 80 = $360.00.
- Tool shows regular $160.00, overtime $120.00, double $80.00, total $360.00.
Reference table
| Hours | Regular | OT | DT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | $160.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $160.00 |
| 10 | $160.00 | $60.00 | $0.00 | $220.00 |
| 14 | $160.00 | $120.00 | $80.00 | $360.00 |
Limits
- California daily rule only. Other states differ.
- Ignores weekly 40 hour overtime computed separately.
- Ignores seventh day premiums and alternative schedules.
- Ignores meals, breaks, and exempt status questions.
Common mistakes
- Paying all hours past 8 at double instead of 1.5 first.
- Starting double time at hour 9 instead of past 12.
- Mixing two workdays into one 24 hour run.
- Using the generic overtime page without daily bands.
- Forgetting the higher standard wins where laws overlap.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
8 hours at $25?
Regular $200.00, overtime $0.00, double $0.00, total $200.00.
10 hours at $18?
Regular $144.00, overtime $54.00, double $0.00, total $198.00.
16 hours at $15?
Regular $120.00, overtime $90.00, double $120.00, total $330.00.
Questions
When does double time start in California?
Past 12 hours in one workday, at no less than twice the regular rate.
What about hours 9 to 12?
Time and a half. 4 hours at 1.5x sit between regular and double bands.
How is this different from weekly overtime?
Daily bands split one shift by hours 8 and 12. Weekly rules use 40 hours separately.
Does federal law require double time?
No. Federal sets 1.5x past 40 weekly, while states like California add daily double tiers.
What if I work 8 hours exactly?
All regular pay. Overtime and double time stay zero.
Should I use the generic overtime page?
Use it for custom multipliers. Use this page for California daily 8 and 12 bands.