What Are Regular Hours?
Regular hours are the standard number of hours an employee is scheduled to work during a normal workweek, usually up to 40 hours. These are the hours paid at your regular rate of pay, without any overtime or special premium.
In payroll, “regular hours” appear separately from overtime, holiday hours, or paid leave. That distinction ensures employees are paid fairly and that employers stay compliant with labor laws.
Think of it this way: If you’re scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, those 40 hours are your regular hours. Anything beyond that—like staying late or working weekends—falls into overtime.
Why Regular Hours Matter?
Regular hours play a key role in both payroll and workplace compliance:
- Payroll Accuracy – They form the base for calculating employee wages correctly.
- Compliance – Laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) require employers to track and compensate overtime separately.
- Transparency – Listing regular hours on a pay stub helps employees verify that they’re paid for every hour worked.
- Work-Life Balance – Knowing your “regular hours” sets expectations around your availability and helps you plan personal time.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, regular hours serve as the baseline for determining when overtime kicks in.
Regular Hours vs. Overtime
| Feature | Regular Hours | Overtime |
| Definition | Normal scheduled hours (e.g., 40/week) | Extra hours worked beyond the regular schedule |
| Pay Rate | Standard hourly rate | Usually 1.5× or 2× the hourly rate |
| Legal Coverage | Covered by employment agreement | Governed by FLSA and labor laws |
| Pay Stub Record | Listed as “Regular Hours” | Listed separately as “Overtime Hours” |
Real-Life Example
Let’s say Daniel is scheduled to work 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday—that’s 40 regular hours per week.
- If Daniel works 42 hours one week, his first 40 hours are regular, while the extra 2 hours are recorded as overtime.
- On his pay stub, he should clearly see both “Regular Hours” and “Overtime Hours” broken down, so there’s no confusion.
This separation is exactly what StubBuilder’s Real Pay Check Generator helps with—showing employees their hours and pay with clarity.
Key Takeaways
- Regular hours = standard workweek hours (up to 40).
- Anything above that is considered overtime and must be paid at a higher rate.
- Separating regular and overtime hours is crucial for payroll accuracy and legal compliance.
- A proper pay stub should always show regular hours worked separately from overtime or holiday pay.
FAQs About Regular Hours
1) What counts as regular hours?
Regular hours are the hours you’re scheduled to work under your contract or company policy, typically 40 hours a week for full-time employees.
2) Do lunch breaks count as regular hours?
No. Unpaid breaks like lunch typically do not count toward regular hours, though short paid breaks (like 10–15 minutes) usually do.
3) When do regular hours turn into overtime?
Once you exceed the standard 40-hour workweek (or 8 hours per day in some states), additional hours are classified as overtime.
4) Why are regular hours shown separately on a pay stub?
To ensure transparency. It lets employees confirm they’re paid correctly for base hours, while overtime and holiday pay are calculated at their proper rates.
5) How can I track my regular hours easily?
A professional pay stub generator like StubBuilder automatically calculates and displays your regular hours, overtime, and gross pay in a clear format.
