Hours and minutes calculator

Federal law does not set a general maximum number of hours an adult employee may work per week. However, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most covered, nonexempt employees must receive overtime pay after working more than 40 hours in a workweek.

For most covered, nonexempt employees, hours worked over 40 in a single workweek are considered overtime under federal law. Hours generally cannot be averaged across multiple weeks to determine overtime.

Under federal law, covered, nonexempt employees generally must receive at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for each hour worked over 40 in a workweek. Certain employees and occupations may be exempt from federal overtime requirements.

Usually, bona fide meal periods—typically 30 minutes or more when the employee is completely relieved from duty—do not count as hours worked. Short breaks, generally around 5 to 20 minutes, are typically considered paid work time under federal law.

No. Federal law does not automatically require extra pay simply because work occurs at night, on a weekend, or on a holiday. Overtime generally depends on whether a covered, nonexempt employee works more than 40 hours during the workweek.

Yes. States may have their own wage-and-hour requirements, including more protective overtime rules. When both federal and state overtime laws apply, employees are entitled to the standard that provides the greater protection.