Compressed Work Week Calculator
Compare 9/80, 4/10, 3/12, and custom compressed schedules by weekly hours, possible overtime, gross pay, annual hours, and extra days off.
Compressed Work Week Calculator
Schedule Type
9/80 Workweek Split
Split models week 1 = 40 and week 2 = 40. Naive shows week 1 = 44 and week 2 = 36.
Hourly Rate
Overtime Multiplier
Daily Overtime Mode
Use daily modes for California-style estimates or similar local rules. This is not legal advice.
Annual Projection
Custom Two-Week Cycle
Cycle Breakdown
Overtime Estimate
Annual Projection
A split 9/80 setup keeps both fixed workweeks at 40 hours in this estimate.
Track the schedule you actually work
Use Timeclock44 to log compressed shifts, overtime settings, week starts, and pay multipliers in one place.
How compressed work week schedules work
A compressed work week trades longer shifts for fewer days at work. A 9/80 schedule usually puts 80 hours across nine workdays in two weeks. A 4/10 schedule uses four 10-hour days each week. A 3/12 schedule has three 12-hour days each week, so it may be a reduced-hours schedule unless extra shifts are added.
Why the fixed workweek matters for overtime
Federal overtime is calculated within a fixed, recurring workweek. Hours generally cannot be averaged across two weeks to wipe out overtime. That is why the 9/80 split matters: the split version shows 40 hours and 40 hours, while a plain calendar split can show 44 hours and 36 hours.
Daily overtime and alternative workweek schedules
Some states also have daily overtime rules. California-style estimates often start daily overtime after 8 hours, while approved alternative workweek schedules can treat certain 10-hour or 12-hour days differently. This calculator handles the math, but it does not verify state eligibility, election rules, public-sector rules, or employer policy.
Comparing pay, annual hours, and days off
Use the results to compare gross pay, overtime premium, annual hours, annual workdays, and extra days off against a standard five-day schedule. The pay formula starts with straight-time pay for all cycle hours, then adds only the overtime premium so overtime is not counted twice.
Sources used for the schedule math
Federal overtime rules come from U.S. Department of Labor overtime guidance and FLSA reference materials. Compressed schedule examples follow definitions from the U.S. General Services Administration and Office of Personnel Management. Daily overtime examples are based on California Department of Industrial Relations guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about compressed work week calculator
What is a compressed work week?
A compressed work week fits the same, or nearly the same, hours into fewer workdays. Common versions include 9/80, 4/10, and 3/12 schedules.
How does a 9/80 schedule avoid weekly overtime?
A common 9/80 setup splits the 8-hour day between two fixed workweeks so each workweek has 40 hours.
Why does the calculator split the 8-hour day on a 9/80 schedule?
Federal overtime uses a fixed workweek. If the 8-hour day is not split, a calendar-style 9/80 pattern may show 44 hours in week 1 and 36 in week 2.
Is a 4/10 schedule overtime under federal law?
Usually no, if each fixed workweek has 40 hours. Federal overtime starts after 40 hours in a workweek for covered nonexempt workers.
Does California allow four 10-hour days without daily overtime?
California may allow some alternative workweek schedules, but the adoption and eligibility rules matter. This calculator does not check those rules.
How many extra days off do I get with a compressed schedule?
The calculator compares your projected workdays with a standard 5-day, 8-hour schedule over the same number of weeks.
Can my employer average 44 hours one week and 36 hours the next?
Federal overtime generally cannot be avoided by averaging hours across workweeks. Each fixed workweek is calculated separately.
How should I track a compressed schedule in Timeclock44?
Log the days you actually clock in, your week start, overtime threshold, and multiplier so your timecard matches your employer's fixed workweek.