🇬🇧 UK Calculator · 2025/26

Overtime Pay Calculator

Free UK calculator — instant, accurate results for overtime pay

⏱️ Overtime Calculator

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Overtime Pay Calculator

Calculate your overtime pay for any shift pattern with this tool. Enter your standard hourly rate, the number of overtime hours, and the applicable multiplier to see your additional earnings. The calculator also shows the combined total of base pay plus overtime for the period.

In the UK, overtime pay is not regulated by statute — your entitlement comes from your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement. However, the key legal requirement is that your total pay divided by total hours must not fall below the National Minimum Wage.

Overtime Pay Across UK Sectors

SectorTypical OT RateWhen TriggeredCommon Pattern
NHS (AfC)Time-and-a-third (1.33×) to doubleBeyond contracted hrsEvenings/weekends
PoliceTime-and-a-third (1.33×)Beyond rostered hrsAs required
RetailPlain time to 1.5×Beyond contracted hrsPeak periods
Construction1.5× weekday, 2× weekendBeyond 39hrs/wkProject deadlines
Manufacturing1.5× standardBeyond shift patternProduction targets

Overtime and Holiday Pay

Following the Bear Scotland v Fulton ruling (2014), regular overtime that is "sufficiently regular and settled" must be included when calculating holiday pay for the first 20 days of leave (4 weeks under EU regulations). This means your holiday pay could be higher than your basic salary if you regularly work overtime.

Use our overtime holiday pay calculator to see how overtime affects your holiday pay. For base salary verification, try the pro rata calculator, or check your take-home pay after overtime tax implications.

Compulsory overtime: If overtime is compulsory under your contract, it must be included in holiday pay calculations even if you do not regularly work it. Voluntary overtime is only included if it forms a regular pattern.

How to Use the Overtime Pay Calculator

Using our overtime pay calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps to get accurate results for your situation:

  1. Enter your full-time salary — This is the annual salary for the equivalent full-time role, before any deductions. You'll find this on the job advert or your contract.
  2. Set the full-time hours — The standard working week for the role. Most UK employers use 37.5 or 40 hours per week.
  3. Enter your actual hours — Your contracted weekly hours. This is the number you actually work.
  4. Click Calculate — The overtime pay calculator displays your results instantly, with annual, monthly, weekly, daily, and hourly breakdowns.
Pro tip: If your employment contract shows different figures to our calculator, check whether your employer uses a 365-day year or a 52.143-week year — this can cause small rounding differences.

Worked Example: Overtime Pay Calculator

Here's a real-world example using the overtime pay calculator. James earns £14.50 per hour as a warehouse supervisor and works 10 hours of overtime per week at time-and-a-half.

Overtime rate: £14.50 × 1.5 = £21.75 per hour

Weekly overtime pay: £21.75 × 10 = £217.50

Monthly overtime: £217.50 × 52 ÷ 12 = £942.50

Annual overtime: £217.50 × 52 = £11,310

Combined with his standard 40-hour week (£14.50 × 40 = £580/week), James's total annual earnings are £30,160 + £11,310 = £41,470 before tax.

Holiday pay note: If James works regular overtime, this must be included in his holiday pay calculation under UK law. The landmark Bear Scotland ruling established that regular overtime counts towards holiday pay.

UK Overtime Rules You Should Know

  • No legal right to overtime pay: UK law doesn't require employers to pay overtime — it depends on your contract. However, your average hourly pay must not fall below National Minimum Wage when overtime is included.
  • Overtime and holiday pay: Since the Bear Scotland v Fulton ruling (2014), regular and systematic overtime must be included in holiday pay calculations. Use our overtime holiday pay calculator.
  • Working Time Regulations: You cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours per week on average (over 17 weeks) unless you've opted out in writing.
  • Tax on overtime: Overtime is taxed at your marginal rate — if it pushes you into the 40% bracket (above £50,270), you'll pay higher rate tax on the excess.
⚖️ Legal Accuracy Statement
All calculations on this page follow ACAS pro rata pay guidelines and are consistent with the UK Employment Rights Act 1996. Tax figures use HMRC 2025/26 rates. The April 2025 National Living Wage of £12.21/hour is applied where relevant.

Related Salary Calculators

Our overtime pay calculator is just one of the tools available on ProRataCalculator. You may also find these useful: pro rata calculator, term-time salary calculator, holiday pay guide.

Last updated: February 2026. Verified against HMRC 2025/26 tax rates and April 2025 National Living Wage (£12.21/hour).

Frequently Asked Questions

Overtime is typically calculated as hours worked beyond your contracted hours, multiplied by an enhanced rate. Common rates are time-and-a-half (1.5×) or double time (2×), though there is no legal requirement for enhanced overtime pay.

Yes, overtime pay is fully taxable. It is added to your regular earnings and taxed at your marginal income tax rate, with National Insurance contributions also applied.

There is no legal right to overtime pay in the UK. However, your total pay (including overtime hours) must not fall below the National Minimum Wage when averaged across all hours worked.

Regular, compulsory overtime should be included in holiday pay calculations. Voluntary overtime that follows a regular pattern may also need to be included, following the Bear Scotland case ruling.