Overtime calculator 2026: calculate extra hours, compensation and time accounts
Enter target hours and actual hours to see how much overtime was created, how the working-time account changes and whether 8-/10-hour thresholds under German working-time law need review.
- 100% free
- No sign-up
- Your entries are never stored
Inputs
Result
Check compensation. The values touch the 8-hour logic or night work. Check compensation period, records and internal approval.
Overtime / undertime
+6 h
in period Week: target 40 h, actual 46 h
- New balance
- +6 h
- Time off in lieu
- 6 h
- Gross payout
- €0.00
- Avg. per workday
- 9.2 h
- Highest day
- 9.5 h
- Night work
- No
Classification
- Working times and time above 8 hours per working day must be documented traceably.
- Payout, premiums or time off depend on effective agreements and the facts.
- Actual hours are above the entered target hours; in this calculator that is an overtime/extra-work difference.
- The working-time account is positive after this period.
- The average per workday is above 8 hours; check the compensation period under German working-time law.
- At least one workday is above 8 hours; check records and compensation.
Next steps
- Check compensation period and daily values, not only the total.
- For night work, consider additional rules and health aspects.
- Adjust planning patterns if above-8-hour values occur regularly.
Content checked on 10 Aug 2026 against ArbZG, BGB and NachwG. No legal advice.
How it works
From target and actual hours to balance, compensation and review notes
The calculator compares the entered contractual target hours with actual working hours. Positive differences are treated as overtime for this calculator; negative differences are treated as undertime.
It also shows how an existing working-time account or overtime balance changes and how many hours would be paid out or compensated with time off in your scenario.
The traffic light intentionally separates issues: overtime above contract is not automatically a German working-time violation. Values above 8 hours, values above 10 hours and night work create review notes for records and compensation.
Common use cases
Where the overtime calculator helps in practice
Update the time account
Enter the starting balance and immediately see whether the new balance is positive, negative or balanced.
Check payout scenarios
Simulate hourly wage, premium and payout share without implying a legal payout obligation.
Plan time off in lieu
The calculator shows how many plus hours remain as time off instead of being paid out in the scenario.
Prepare payroll review
Copy, share or print target/actual differences, account balance and review notes for internal checks.
Automatic in operations
Shiftdesk keeps time accounts, overtime and ArbZG notes in one place
Instead of recalculating Excel balances, Shiftdesk connects scheduling, time tracking and time accounts. Plus hours, undertime and critical daily values show up before payroll.
Free working-time record template 2026
If you review overtime manually, you need clean records. Get the 2026 timesheet / working-time record template as Excel + PDF.
Rather not do the math yourself anymore?
Shiftdesk handles ongoing time tracking, shows overtime in the time account and helps keep compensation and records traceable.
No credit card required · No risk
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about overtime, extra work and time accounts
What is the difference between overtime and extra work?
Does overtime always have to be paid?
When does it become critical under German working-time law?
What belongs in a working-time account?
Which working times must be documented?
Can I use the overtime calculator for payroll?
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Orientation calculator for Germany. No legal advice, no binding compliance certificate. Collective agreements, works agreements, premium rules, night work, on-call work, minors, pregnancy protection and industry-specific rules can create additional requirements.