Start with paid time
Take the full shift span and subtract unpaid breaks. A shift from 08:00 to 16:00 lasts 8 hours. If 30 minutes are unpaid, the paid duration is 7.5 hours. At an illustrative rate of 20 per hour, the base estimate is 7.5 × 20 = 150.
The currency does not change this arithmetic. All amounts in one calculation must use the same currency; this guide and our calculator do not convert exchange rates.
Add premiums using the correct method
A premium can be a fixed extra amount per qualifying hour or a multiplier. These are different inputs. A base rate of 20 plus an extra 3 per hour gives 23 for the qualifying hours. A multiplier of 1.25 gives 25. If only 4 hours qualify for an extra 3, the additional amount is 12, not the premium applied to the entire shift.
Check whether premiums can combine and which hours qualify. Do not assume night, weekend and overtime additions stack in a particular way. Those rules depend on the arrangement that applies to your work.
Compare periods with the same boundaries
A calendar month, a weekly schedule and a payroll period may all have different start and end dates. Compare matching periods before looking for a calculation error. Future scheduled shifts are still estimates; use actual hours when reviewing completed work.
- Match the period dates.
- Match paid hours, including break treatment.
- Match rates and the hours eligible for each premium.
- Identify adjustments that are outside the simple estimate.
Keep gross estimates separate from take-home pay
The calculation above is before taxes, deductions, reimbursements and other adjustments. It cannot determine your take-home pay or an amount you are legally owed. Use your employer’s records for the final payroll calculation.
ClockPay’s pay tracker connects your configured rules to your personal schedule. For a quick arithmetic check, use the pay calculator, which supports one base rate and one overtime multiplier.