ShiftPaybookPaycheck calculator: estimate your gross pay from your hours
Published
Quick answer
To estimate a paycheck, multiply regular hours by your hourly rate, add overtime and any premiums, then add tips, bonuses and adjustments. The result is gross pay, before tax and deductions. Compare it with the gross figure on your payslip, not the take-home amount, to see whether the two match.
A paycheck is the sum of a few simple lines. Writing them out yourself, line by line, makes it easy to see where a payslip and your own figure agree and where they do not.
How do I estimate gross pay?
- Total your paid hours for the pay period.
- Multiply regular hours by the hourly rate.
- Add overtime hours at the overtime rate.
- Add premiums for night, weekend or holiday work if your job pays them.
- Add tips, bonuses and adjustments.
| Line | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Regular hours | 40 hours at 20 | 800 |
| Overtime | 5 hours at 30 | 150 |
| Weekend premium | 8 hours at 2 extra | 16 |
| Tips | Reported separately | 60 |
| Gross pay | Sum of the lines | 1026 |
Why is gross pay different from take-home pay?
Gross pay is the total before tax and other deductions. Take-home pay is what remains after withholding, contributions and benefits. A calculator that works from hours and rates estimates gross pay only. For a tax estimate, use your tax authority's own tools, such as the IRS withholding estimator in the United States, and check your local rules.
How do I compare an estimate with my paycheck?
- Match the pay period dates first.
- Compare gross pay, not take-home pay.
- Compare hours, then the rate, then each extra line.
- Write down every difference and its size.
The paycheck check in ShiftPaybook Pro compares what you expected with what you received and lists possible reasons for a difference worth checking. A difference is not proof of an error.
What can cause a difference?
- Rounding of start and end times.
- An unpaid break treated differently.
- A rate that changed during the period.
- An overtime threshold applied in a different way.
- A pay period that starts or ends on a different day than you assumed.
- An adjustment from an earlier period.
None of these proves a mistake. They are the first things to check before you ask your payroll contact to explain a figure.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is a paycheck calculator?
It is as accurate as the hours, rates and rules you enter. It estimates gross pay and cannot know every deduction or employer policy.
Does ShiftPaybook calculate tax?
No. ShiftPaybook shows gross estimates, before tax. For tax figures use your tax authority's own tools and check your local rules.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is what you earned before tax and deductions. Net pay, also called take-home pay, is what you receive afterwards.
Can I check my paycheck in ShiftPaybook?
Yes, the paycheck check is a Pro feature. It compares the pay you expected with the pay you received and lists possible reasons for a difference.
Sources
Public bodies and Apple documentation that this guide draws on:
- GOV.UK: Payslips
- IRS: Tax Withholding Estimator
- U.S. Department of Labor: Overtime pay requirements of the FLSA (Fact Sheet 23)
General information only, not legal, tax or payroll advice. Rules differ by country, region, contract and employer, so check your local rules before relying on a figure.