ToolOrbit guide

How to Calculate Overtime for an Overnight Shift

An overnight finish belongs to the next calendar day. The simplest calculation first finds total minutes across midnight, subtracts unpaid breaks, then applies the overtime rule.

Open ShiftPay
  1. 01

    Count across midnight

    If a shift starts at 10:00 PM and ends at 6:30 AM, treat the finish as the next day. That gives 8.5 elapsed hours before breaks.

  2. 02

    Subtract unpaid breaks

    A 30-minute unpaid break reduces 8.5 elapsed hours to 8 paid hours. Paid rest breaks should not be subtracted.

  3. 03

    Apply the correct threshold

    If daily overtime begins after 8 paid hours, this example has no overtime. A 9-hour paid shift would have 1 overtime hour at the selected multiplier.

  4. 04

    Confirm local rules

    Some workplaces calculate overtime weekly, use different night premiums or require special break treatment. ShiftPay is an estimate; contracts and local law control actual wages.

Apply the method to your own values

Open the matching tool, enter the real inputs and check the limitations above before using the result.

Open ShiftPay