Rules modeled here
The California data registry records a meal-period timing rule before the end of the 5th hour, a 10-minute rest period for each 4 hours or major fraction worked, and a premium of 1 hour at the regular rate for each violation type per day. The source links are the DLSE Meal Periods FAQ and Rest Periods FAQ.
Basic formula
Why the inputs are days, not individual breaks
The premium is not multiplied by every missed break. A workday with one or more meal-period violations is counted once for meal-premium purposes, and a workday with one or more rest-period violations is counted once for rest-premium purposes. If both categories have violations on the same workday, this calculator counts one meal premium and one rest premium for that day.
What this estimate does not determine
- Whether the meal period was timely, duty-free, long enough, accurately recorded, or validly waived.
- Whether a rest period was authorized and permitted under the applicable wage order.
- Whether an on-duty meal-period agreement, collective-bargaining provision, emergency exception, or industry-specific rule applies.
- The correct regular rate when the worker has bonuses, commissions, multiple rates, piece-rate pay, or other compensation.
- Interest, waiting-time penalties, wage-statement penalties, attorney fees, or other remedies.
Worked examples
Two meal days, three rest days
Sources and verification
Rules were checked against California DLSE meal-period and rest-period FAQs and stored in the site data registry. Automated tests cover separate meal and rest premium categories, same-day separate remedies, cap-to-days validation, invalid input, and visible rendering.