How Many Work Hours in a Week?
40 is the standard — but the week's shape changes everything from overtime to paycheck size.
| Schedule | Hours/week | Weekly pay @ $20 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 5×8 | 40 | $800.00 |
| Compressed 4×10 | 40 | $800.00 |
| Three 12s | 36 | $720.00 |
| Part-time 5×4 | 20 | $400.00 |
| 5×9 (every other Fri off) | 45 / 36 alt | $950 / $720 |
| 60-hour week (6×10) | 60 | $1,400 (20 OT h) |
The workweek is a legal unit
The 40-hour threshold that triggers overtime runs on the workweek — a fixed 7-day period, not the pay period or the calendar week. 40 hours itself isn't a law; it's the FLSA overtime line. Work 45 hours and 5 are at 1.5×; work two 39-hour weeks and zero OT is owed even if the pay period totals 78.
Full-time definitions by context
- FLSA: doesn't define full-time — only the 40-hour OT line
- Employers/IRS: commonly 30+ hours/week counts as full-time for benefits purposes
- Affordable Care Act: 30 hours/week average triggers employer coverage rules
Run your week through the time card calculator for exact totals with breaks and OT.
Frequently asked questions
Does paid time off count toward overtime?
No — PTO, holidays, and sick pay are not hours worked, so they don't push a week past 40. Only worked hours cross the OT line (FLSA).