Double Time Calculator

Calculate your double time (2x) and double time and a half (2.5x) pay. Enter your hourly rate and hours worked to see your total earnings at premium overtime rates.

What is Double Time?

Double time means earning twice your regular hourly rate for qualifying hours worked. If you earn $25 per hour, your double time rate is $50 per hour. Double time is a premium pay rate that exceeds the standard 1.5x overtime rate.

Unlike time and a half, double time is not required by federal law. However, it is mandated in certain situations by state laws — most notably California — and is common in union contracts, company policies, and holiday pay agreements.

Double time typically applies during extended shifts, consecutive workdays, or as a premium for working on recognized holidays.

What is Double Time and a Half?

Double time and a half pays 2.5 times your regular hourly rate. At $25/hr, that means $62.50 per hour. This is the highest common overtime premium and is most often associated with holiday pay.

For example, if you work on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day and your employer offers double time and a half, you earn 2.5x your normal rate for those hours. Some union contracts specify this rate for holidays that fall during an already-overtime shift.

There is no federal or state law requiring double time and a half — it is typically established through collective bargaining agreements or employer policy.

Double Time in California

California has the most robust double time requirements in the United States. Under California Labor Code, non-exempt employees earn double time in two specific situations:

• More than 12 hours in a single workday: All hours beyond 12 are paid at double time
• More than 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day of work in a single workweek: Hours beyond 8 on that 7th day are paid at double time

Here's how a long California workday breaks down for a $30/hr worker:

Hours	Rate	Pay Rate	Earnings
Hours 1-8	Regular (1x)	$30.00/hr	$240.00
Hours 9-12	Time and a Half (1.5x)	$45.00/hr	$180.00
Hours 13+	Double Time (2x)	$60.00/hr	$60.00/hr each

If that worker puts in a 14-hour day, they would earn: $240 + $180 + $120 (2 hours at double time) = $540 for the day, compared to $420 at a straight hourly rate.

When Does Double Time Kick In?

Double time triggers vary significantly depending on your location and employment agreement:

Jurisdiction / Situation	Double Time Trigger
Federal (FLSA)	No double time requirement
California	Over 12 hours/day; over 8 hours on 7th consecutive day
Union Contracts	Varies — commonly holidays, weekends, or extended shifts
Employer Policy	Varies — holidays, emergency call-ins
Holiday Pay	Commonly 2x or 2.5x for major holidays (not legally required)

Double Time vs Overtime

Here's a side-by-side comparison of standard overtime (1.5x), double time (2x), and double time and a half (2.5x):

Feature	Overtime (1.5x)	Double Time (2x)	DT & Half (2.5x)
Multiplier	1.5×	2×	2.5×
$20/hr rate	$30.00/hr	$40.00/hr	$50.00/hr
$30/hr rate	$45.00/hr	$60.00/hr	$75.00/hr
Federal requirement	Yes (>40 hrs/wk)	No	No
CA requirement	Yes (>8 hrs/day)	Yes (>12 hrs/day)	No
Common triggers	Weekly/daily OT	Extended shifts, 7th day	Holidays

How to Calculate Double Time

The formula for double time is straightforward:

Double Time Pay = Hourly Rate × 2 × Hours at Double Time

For double time and a half:

DT&H Pay = Hourly Rate × 2.5 × Hours at DT&H

Example: Mixed Overtime Day

A California worker earning $28/hr works a 14-hour shift:

1. Regular hours (1-8): 8 × $28.00 = $224.00
2. Time and a half hours (9-12): 4 × $42.00 = $168.00
3. Double time hours (13-14): 2 × $56.00 = $112.00
4. Total daily pay: $224.00 + $168.00 + $112.00 = $504.00

Without overtime premiums, 14 hours at $28/hr would be $392. The overtime and double time premiums add an extra $112.00 to the worker's daily earnings.

Example: Holiday Double Time and a Half

A worker earning $22/hr works 8 hours on Thanksgiving at double time and a half:

1. DT&H rate: $22.00 × 2.5 = $55.00/hr
2. Holiday pay: 8 × $55.00 = $440.00

Compared to a regular 8-hour shift at $176.00, this worker earns an extra $264.00 for working the holiday.