California Overtime Calculator – Calculate Daily & Weekly OT

How California Overtime is Calculated

California has the most comprehensive worker compensation protections in the United States. Under standard rules enforced by the **California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)**, non-exempt employees earn overtime pay and double-time pay based on both daily and weekly thresholds.

California's 3 Overtime Triggers (1.5× Regular Rate)

Daily Overtime — Any hours worked beyond **8 hours in a single workday** (up to 12 hours) [2].
Weekly Overtime — Any hours worked beyond **40 hours in a single workweek** [2].
7th Consecutive Day — The **first 8 hours worked on the 7th consecutive day** of work in a single workweek [2].

California's 2 Double-Time Triggers (2.0× Regular Rate)

Daily Double-Time — Any hours worked beyond **12 hours in a single workday** [2].
7th Day Double-Time — Any hours worked beyond **8 hours on the 7th consecutive day** of work in a single workweek [2].

Gross Pay = (Reg Hours × Rate) + (OT Hours × Rate × 1.5) + (DT Hours × Rate × 2.0) Example: 14 hours worked at $20/hr = (8 × $20) + (4 × $30) + (2 × $40) = $160 + $120 + $80 = $360.00 Gross Pay

📊 Excel Formulas: California Daily Overtime & Double-Time

To automatically calculate a single workday's hour distribution under California's daily laws, use these three formulas where Cell A1 contains your total daily hours worked:

Regular Hours (capped at 8): =MIN(A1, 8)
Overtime Hours (8 to 12): =MIN(MAX(0, A1-8), 4)
Double-Time Hours (over 12): =MAX(0, A1-12)

Meal Break Penalties (The California Premium)

Under California DLSE guidelines, employers must provide a non-exempt employee with a **30-minute unpaid meal break** for shifts longer than 5 hours. If an employer fails to provide this uninterrupted break, they are required by law to pay the employee a **"meal break penalty"** (or meal period premium) equal to exactly **1 hour of extra pay** at their regular rate. You can use our Timesheet Calculator to log daily break subtractions before filing weekly time cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about California daily and weekly overtime calculations.

What are California's daily overtime rules?

Under California labor law, non-exempt employees must receive 1.5× (time-and-a-half) their regular rate of pay for any hours worked beyond 8 hours in a single workday, or beyond 40 hours in a single workweek.

How is double-time calculated in California?

In California, double-time (2.0× regular rate) is legally required for any work hours exceeding 12 hours in a single workday, or for hours worked beyond 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day of a workweek.

How does the 7th consecutive day rule work in California?

If an employee works all 7 days in a single workweek, the 7th day is subject to special overtime rules. The first 8 hours worked on the 7th day must be paid at 1.5× (overtime), and any hours worked beyond 8 hours must be paid at 2.0× (double-time).

Does California require overtime pay on weekends?

No, working on Saturdays or Sundays does not automatically trigger overtime pay in California. Overtime only applies on weekends if those hours push your weekly total past 40 hours, or if it constitutes your 7th consecutive workday of that workweek.

Are meal periods paid in California?

Under California DLSE guidelines, a 30-minute meal period is unpaid, provided the employee is completely relieved of all duties. If an employer fails to provide an uninterrupted 30-minute break for shifts over 5 hours, the employer must pay the employee a "meal break premium" equal to 1 hour of extra pay at their regular rate.

Can salaried employees receive overtime in California?

Yes, unless they meet the strict legal requirements to be classified as "exempt" under executive, administrative, or professional exemptions. Simply paying an employee a salary does not automatically exempt them from overtime pay. In California, exempt employees must earn a salary that is at least twice the state minimum wage for full-time employment.