Methodology
Every rule the calculators apply, the formula behind it and where it comes from. If your employer's policy or a union contract pays more, that's what you're owed.
Updated October 8, 2026
Rules applied
Hours worked
The time between each clock-in and clock-out, minus the gaps between them (breaks). If an out time's earlier than its in time, the shift crossed midnight and a day's added.
Weekly overtime
Hours past the weekly limit (40 by default) are overtime at the multiplier you set (1.5 by default), following 29 U.S.C. section 207(a). No daily overtime's assumed, because that's state law and varies.
Double time
Hours you enter as double time are paid at twice the rate and kept out of the time-and-a-half count.
Decimal hours
Minutes divided by 60, rounded to two places: 7:45 is 7.75.
Military time
Hours 00 to 23; 13 to 23 become 1 PM to 11 PM; 0000 is 12 AM and 1200 is 12 PM. 2400 is read as midnight.
Test cases
Before each update the engine runs dozens of automatic tests whose answers were worked out by hand. Here are a few of them, so you can try them yourself:
| Input | Expected result |
|---|---|
| In 8:00, break 12:00 to 12:30, out 17:00 | 8:30 worked (8.50) |
| 22:00 to 06:00 | 8:00 (crosses midnight) |
| 2:45 + 1:30 - 0:15 | 4:00 |
| $18/h, 46 hours, 1.5x past 40 | $720 + $162 = $882 |
| $20/h, 44 hours | $800 + $120 = $920 |
| 1730 | 5:30 PM |
Limits
Results are gross, before taxes and deductions. The calculators don't know whether you're exempt from overtime, whether your state adds daily rules, or what your contract says, so they don't guess. They're here to help you check a timesheet or a pay stub, and they aren't a substitute for payroll or for advice from a lawyer or accountant. If something doesn't match, we'd like to hear about it at contact@calcowa.com.
When we update
We'll re-check a rule whenever the law it's based on changes, and we'll update the date at the top of the page when we do. If we've changed how a result's worked out, we'll say what changed and why, so you aren't left wondering why a number moved.
We don't round in the middle of a calculation. Times are kept in minutes until the end, and money's rounded to the cent only when it's shown, so you won't see a few cents drift between lines that should add up.