How to calculate overtime in Egypt: worked examples (2026)
By Sayed Zakrea · 1 October 2026
To calculate overtime in Egypt, divide the monthly basic salary by the contract's monthly working hours to get the hourly rate, then multiply it by 1.35 for daytime overtime (until 9pm) or 1.70 for night overtime (9pm–6am), and by the overtime hours. Below: the formula step by step, a worked example, and the mistakes that make payroll wrong. It builds on our overview of working hours and overtime under Egyptian Labor Law.
The formula in three steps
- Hourly rate = monthly basic salary ÷ the agreed monthly working hours in the contract.
- Overtime rate = hourly rate × the multiplier: 1.35 for daytime overtime (until 9pm) and 1.70 for night overtime (9pm–6am).
- Overtime pay = overtime rate × overtime hours.
Work on the weekly rest day earns double pay plus a substitute rest day the following week, and public-holiday work can reach 300% depending on role and sector. Because those depend on your contract and sector, the examples below only calculate day, night and rest-day hours.
Worked example
Assume an employee with a basic salary of 6,000 EGP and a contract of 8 hours × 26 days = 208 hours a month. The hourly rate is 6,000 ÷ 208 = 28.85 EGP. Use the hours in your contract, not these.
| Type | Hours | Multiplier | Rate/hour (EGP) | Total (EGP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime overtime | 3 | × 1.35 | 38.94 | 116.82 |
| Night overtime | 2 | × 1.70 | 49.04 | 98.08 |
| Weekly rest day worked (illustration at 200%) | 8 | × 2.00 | 57.69 | 461.52 |
| Total extra pay | 676.42 |
Hourly rates are rounded to 2 decimals before multiplying by the hours. The rest-day line applies 200% to the hours worked to illustrate the arithmetic; confirm with your accountant how the rest-day rule and the substitute day apply to monthly-paid staff.
Mistakes that make overtime wrong
- Using the wrong hours base. Dividing by calendar days or by a guessed number instead of the contract's monthly hours changes every rate.
- Applying the day rate to night hours. Overtime after 9pm is 170%, not 135%.
- Ignoring the daily cap. Normal plus overtime hours cannot exceed 12 a day, so a record above 12 hours is a red flag to check.
- Calculating from memory. Without timestamped punches you cannot show the hours behind the payment.
- Mixing approved and unapproved hours. Decide who approves overtime and pay only approved hours.
Month-end overtime checklist
- Export the month's clock-in and clock-out records.
- Split hours into normal, daytime overtime, night overtime and rest-day or holiday work.
- Check no day exceeds 12 hours in total.
- Approve the overtime hours.
- Apply the multipliers to each employee's hourly rate and keep the working.
Doing it automatically in Dawmly
On the Growth plan, Dawmly payroll calculates salary from approved attendance. You set the day, night, rest-day and holiday multipliers and the daily overtime cap, so the calculation above runs for every employee at once and each payslip is itemised. Dawmly does not apply labour law for you: check the multipliers you configure against the law and your contracts. See pricing; new signups get a 14-day Growth trial and the Free plan covers up to 5 employees.
Want a quick estimate first? Use the free overtime calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the hourly rate for overtime in Egypt?
Divide the monthly basic salary by the agreed monthly working hours in the contract. For example, 6,000 EGP ÷ 208 hours = 28.85 EGP per hour.
What is the overtime multiplier for night work?
Night overtime (9pm–6am) is paid at 170% of the normal hourly rate, and daytime overtime (until 9pm) at 135%, under Labor Law No. 14 of 2025.
Is there a daily limit on working hours with overtime?
Yes. Normal hours plus overtime cannot exceed 12 hours a day.
Can Dawmly calculate overtime automatically?
Yes, on the Growth plan. You set the multipliers and the daily cap, and payroll calculates overtime from approved attendance. Check the multipliers against the law and your contract.