Short answer: a semi-monthly timesheet records hours for half a month, usually the 1st to the 15th and the 16th to the last day of the month, for 24 pay periods a year. The key rule to remember: overtime is still calculated by the 7-day workweek, not by the pay period, so you need to track which workweek each day belongs to.
Semi-monthly timesheet template
Employee: ____________________ Pay period: ☐ 1st–15th ☐ 16th–end of month Month / year: __________
| Date | Day | Workweek # | Time in | Meal break (unpaid) | Time out | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | ||||||
| 4 | ||||||
| 5 | ||||||
| 6 | ||||||
| 7 | ||||||
| 8 | ||||||
| 9 | ||||||
| 10 | ||||||
| 11 | ||||||
| 12 | ||||||
| 13 | ||||||
| 14 | ||||||
| 15 | ||||||
| Total hours this pay period | ||||||
For the second half of the month, use rows 16 through 28, 29, 30 or 31. The “Workweek #” column is what makes overtime possible to calculate correctly.
| Workweek | Workweek dates | Total hours in workweek | Regular (up to 40) | Overtime (over 40) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 |
Employee signature: ______________ Date: ______ Supervisor approval: ______________ Date: ______
If you pay weekly instead, use our free weekly timesheet template.
Semi-monthly vs biweekly vs weekly
| Pay frequency | Pay periods per year | Period length | Lines up with workweeks? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | 7 days | Yes |
| Biweekly | 26 | 14 days | Yes |
| Semi-monthly | 24 | 13 to 16 days | No |
| Monthly | 12 | 28 to 31 days | No |
Semi-monthly is convenient for salaried staff because each paycheck is the same (annual salary ÷ 24). For hourly employees it is more complex, because the number of workdays changes from period to period and workweeks are split across periods. Many states also set minimum pay frequencies, so check your state’s payday rules.
How to handle overtime when a workweek crosses two pay periods
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees generally earn overtime for hours over 40 in a workweek, a fixed and recurring period of 168 hours (seven consecutive 24-hour days). You cannot average hours over a semi-monthly pay period, and you cannot reset the count at the 15th.
Example. Your workweek runs Sunday to Saturday. A workweek runs from Sunday the 11th to Saturday the 17th, so it is split by the pay period that ends on the 15th.
| Day | Hours | Pay period |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 11 | 0 | 1st–15th |
| Mon 12 | 9 | 1st–15th |
| Tue 13 | 9 | 1st–15th |
| Wed 14 | 8 | 1st–15th |
| Thu 15 | 8 | 1st–15th |
| Fri 16 | 10 | 16th–end |
| Sat 17 | 0 | 16th–end |
| Workweek total | 44 |
The first pay period shows 34 hours and the second shows 10, but the workweek total is 44, so 4 hours are overtime. Federal rules generally require overtime to be paid on the regular payday for the period in which the workweek ends, here the 16th–end period, or as soon as practicable if it cannot be calculated in time. Our overtime calculator and time card calculator can help with the math.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Some states also have daily overtime and specific payday rules.
Tips for semi-monthly timekeeping
- Write the workweek number next to every day on the timesheet.
- Keep a running weekly total that carries over from one pay period to the next.
- Close each pay period on time, but flag split workweeks for an overtime check in the next period.
- Record actual time in and time out, and unpaid meal breaks, every day.
- Keep employee and supervisor approval for every timesheet and every correction.
Automating semi-monthly timesheets
Paper and spreadsheet timesheets make split workweeks easy to miss. With EZTime, employees clock in from the mobile app, a tablet kiosk, SMS or NFC tags; hours are totaled automatically; managers get overtime alerts during the week and export payroll-ready timesheets in Excel or PDF for the pay period. Plans start at $2 per employee per month with a 14-day trial. See pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a semi-monthly timesheet?
A semi-monthly timesheet covers half a month: usually the 1st through the 15th and the 16th through the last day of the month. Employees paid semi-monthly receive 24 paychecks a year.
What is the difference between semi-monthly and biweekly?
Semi-monthly pay happens twice a month on fixed dates (24 pay periods a year), so the number of workdays in each period changes. Biweekly pay happens every two weeks (26 pay periods a year), and each period always contains exactly two workweeks.
How is overtime calculated on a semi-monthly timesheet?
Under the FLSA, overtime is calculated per 7-day workweek, not per pay period. Because semi-monthly periods do not line up with workweeks, total each workweek separately and pay overtime for hours over 40 in that workweek, even if the week is split across two pay periods.
When must overtime be paid if a workweek crosses two pay periods?
Federal rules generally require overtime to be paid on the regular payday for the period in which the workweek ends. If the amount cannot be determined by then, it should be paid as soon as practicable afterward. State payday laws may add requirements.