Work Hours & Time Card Calculators

Overtime threshold explanation

Direct answer

The overtime threshold applies to the controlling workweek, not automatically Monday-Sunday or the pay period.

labor lawOvertime Hours Calculatorwork hours
Region
U.S. federal example using 40 hours; daily, sector, exemption, and non-U.S. rules may differ.
Best calculator
Overtime Hours Calculator
Reviewed
2026-07-14

Reproducible workflow

Method, inputs, and worked result

Method

  1. 1Record fixed week start.
  2. 2Place every shift in that window.
  3. 3Split total at confirmed threshold.

Inputs used

  • Wednesday-Tuesday workweek
  • Daily hours 9, 9, 9, 10, and 6
  • $18.75 base and 40-hour threshold

Worked example

Five shifts total 43 hours inside one Wednesday-Tuesday week.

  1. 1.Regular bucket is 40.
  2. 2.Overtime bucket is 3.
  3. 3.Illustrative gross is $834.38 after final rounding.

40 regular, 3 overtime, and $834.38 illustrative gross.

Reproduce: Set Wednesday as week start, add 9/9/9/10/6, and verify the split.

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Planning summary to paste into a task, invoice, or message

Open Overtime Hours Calculator
Scenario: Overtime threshold explanation
Direct answer: The overtime threshold applies to the controlling workweek, not automatically Monday-Sunday or the pay period.
Region: U.S. federal example using 40 hours; daily, sector, exemption, and non-U.S. rules may differ.
Inputs: Wednesday-Tuesday workweek; Daily hours 9, 9, 9, 10, and 6; $18.75 base and 40-hour threshold
Method: Record fixed week start. Place every shift in that window. Split total at confirmed threshold.
Example result: 40 regular, 3 overtime, and $834.38 illustrative gross.
Reproduce: Set Wednesday as week start, add 9/9/9/10/6, and verify the split.
Boundary: Use the employer's established workweek and applicable rule source.
Next step: open Overtime Hours Calculator from Work Hours & Time Card Calculators.

Common use cases

threshold review

schedule planning

payroll explanation

What can change the result

Shift crosses Tuesday midnight

Alternative work period

State daily overtime

Mistakes to avoid

  • Resetting Monday
  • Equating pay period with week
  • Calling weekend hours automatically overtime

Questions to explore next

  • When does week reset?
  • Does overnight shift cross it?
  • Is daily threshold relevant?