Biweekly time card calculator
Fill in two weeks of clock times and lunch breaks. Overtime is worked out for each week separately, never averaged, and the totals combine for the pay period.
2-week time card calculator with lunch
Why a biweekly card needs two separate weeks
Many employers pay every two weeks, but US federal overtime is not based on the pay period. The FLSA looks at each workweek on its own: a fixed, recurring period of 168 hours (seven consecutive 24-hour days). The Department of Labor says averaging hours over two or more weeks is not permitted. That is why this card shows week 1 and week 2 separately, with overtime for each, and then adds them together for your pay period.
Worked example: 45 hours, then 35 hours
You earn $18.00 an hour. In week 1 you work five 9-hour days (45 hours). In week 2 you work five 7-hour days (35 hours). Together that is 80 hours, exactly 40 a week on average, but week 1 still has overtime.
| Week | Worked | Regular | Overtime | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 45:00 | 40:00 | 5:00 | 40 × $18 + 5 × $27 = $855.00 |
| Week 2 | 35:00 | 35:00 | 0:00 | 35 × $18 = $630.00 |
| Pay period | 80:00 | 75:00 | 5:00 | $1,485.00 |
If the two weeks were wrongly averaged, there would be no overtime and the pay would be 80 × $18 = $1,440.00, which is $45.00 less than what is owed under the federal rule.
The formula
For each week: overtime = hours worked − 40, if more than 40
Pay period regular = week 1 regular + week 2 regular
Pay period overtime = week 1 overtime + week 2 overtime
Gross = regular × rate + overtime × rate × 1.5
Edge cases
- Week start: the period starts on your chosen workweek day. If your pay period starts on a different day than your workweek, ask your employer which they use for overtime.
- Daily overtime: choose the daily 8 / weekly 40 or California rule in Settings. Daily overtime is not counted again toward the weekly 40.
- Lunch: enter the unpaid lunch for each day; paid breaks are not entered.
- Overnight shifts are credited to the day they started, so a Saturday night shift counts toward the week that contains that Saturday.
- Leave days: PTO, holiday and sick hours are paid but are not hours worked for overtime.
Want to see the whole month? Your days appear in the monthly timesheet calendar. Prefer paper? Print the biweekly timesheet template. For the legal background, read FLSA overtime rules explained.
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Frequently asked questions
How is overtime calculated on a biweekly time card?
Week by week. Under the federal rule, overtime is owed for hours over 40 in each workweek. A 45-hour week followed by a 35-hour week still has 5 hours of overtime, even though the two weeks add up to 80.
Can my employer average two weeks to avoid overtime?
Not under the FLSA. The Department of Labor says each workweek stands alone and averaging hours over two or more weeks is not permitted.
What is the difference between biweekly and semi-monthly?
Biweekly means every two weeks, which gives 26 pay periods in most years. Semi-monthly means twice a month, such as the 15th and the last day, which gives 24. A semi-monthly period does not line up with workweeks, so overtime is still worked out per workweek.
When does my workweek start?
Your employer sets it. Under the FLSA a workweek is any fixed, recurring 168-hour period of seven 24-hour days, and it can start on any day. Choose Sunday or Monday in Settings to match.
Can I print a two-week time card?
Yes. Print gives both weeks on one sheet with totals and signature lines. You can also download a CSV or save a PDF from the print dialog.
Does PTO count toward overtime on a biweekly card?
Not under the federal rule. Paid leave is added to your paid hours but not to the hours worked that count toward 40. Your employer or contract may be more generous.
Do I have to enter both weeks again in the monthly view?
No. The biweekly card, weekly card, monthly calendar and yearly overview all use the same saved days in this browser.
Updated · Written by the HoursLog team