UAE Overtime Calculator
Normal overtime at 125 per cent, night hours between 10pm and 4am at 150 per cent, plus rest day and public holiday rates — calculated on basic salary under the 2021 labour law.
Your salary
Overtime hours this month
Breakdown
| Type | Rate | Hours | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 0 | 0.00 |
The rates
| When you worked | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Beyond normal hours, daytime | 125% | Basic salary |
| Between 10pm and 4am | 150% | Basic salary |
| Weekly rest day | Substitute day, or 150% | Basic salary |
| Public holiday | Compensatory leave, or 150% | Basic salary |
Why two hourly rates exist
UAE law sets the premium percentages but does not prescribe how to convert a monthly salary into an hourly one. Two conventions are both in widespread use:
- Basic ÷ 30 ÷ 8 — treats every month as 30 days. The more common payroll approach.
- Basic × 12 ÷ 365 ÷ 8 — spreads salary across the calendar year, producing a slightly lower hourly figure.
On a basic salary of AED 6,000 the first gives AED 25.00 an hour and the second AED 24.66. Small per hour, but it compounds across a year of regular overtime, and it is a frequent source of payroll disagreement. Switch the basis above to see both figures for your own salary.
The limits
Normal working hours are eight per day or 48 per week, reduced by two hours daily during Ramadan. Overtime is capped at two hours a day unless the work is necessary to prevent substantial loss or a serious accident. Employees should not work more than five consecutive hours without a break.
The night premium does not apply to shift workers, since for them those hours form part of the normal working pattern rather than unsociable overtime.
Where overtime fits in your wider entitlements
Unpaid overtime often surfaces at the end of employment rather than during it. If you are working out a departure, the Final Settlement Calculator covers gratuity, unused leave and notice pay together, and the Gratuity Calculator handles end-of-service on its own. For leave, notice and other entitlements, see the Labour Law Calculator.
This is an estimate for general guidance, not legal advice. Your contract and sector may vary the position, and DIFC and ADGM operate under separate employment legislation.
Common questions
How is overtime calculated in the UAE?
Overtime is paid at your normal hourly rate plus 25 per cent for ordinary overtime, and plus 50 per cent for hours worked between 10pm and 4am. Both are calculated on basic salary only, excluding housing, transport and other allowances.
Which hourly rate formula is correct?
Both are in use. Dividing basic salary by 30 and then by 8 is the more common payroll approach. Multiplying by 12, dividing by 365 and then by 8 uses the calendar year instead. The second gives a slightly lower hourly rate. UAE law does not prescribe one, so check which your employer applies — this calculator shows both.
Does the 50 per cent night rate apply to everyone?
No. The higher rate for hours between 10pm and 4am does not apply to employees who work on a shift basis, since night hours are part of their normal schedule rather than overtime at an unsociable time.
How much overtime can I legally be asked to work?
Overtime is capped at two hours per day, unless the work is necessary to prevent substantial loss or a serious accident. Total working hours are also subject to the standard limit of eight hours a day or 48 hours a week.
What if I work on my rest day?
Your employer must either give you a substitute rest day or pay your normal wage for those hours plus 50 per cent. For public holidays the position is similar, with compensatory leave plus a premium, or 150 per cent of normal pay where no leave is given.
Is overtime calculated on my total salary or basic salary?
Basic salary only. Allowances for housing, transport and similar are excluded, which is a point HR teams frequently get wrong. If your contract does not clearly separate basic from allowances, ask for that figure in writing.
Do working hours change during Ramadan?
Yes. Daily working hours in the private sector are reduced by two hours during Ramadan. Hours worked beyond that reduced schedule count as overtime.
Am I entitled to overtime if I am a manager?
Not necessarily. Certain supervisory and managerial roles are treated differently under the working hours provisions, on the basis that they control their own schedule. Whether an individual role qualifies depends on its actual duties rather than its job title.