Biweekly vs semimonthly pay periods, explained
"I needed one that could … set my pay period to every other Friday." Biweekly and semimonthly sound alike, but they're different schedules — and mixing them up is one of the easiest ways to misjudge a paycheck. Here's how weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly pay periods work, and what each one means if you're paid by the hour.
The four common pay periods
The same hourly rate adds up to different paycheck sizes depending on the schedule.
| Pay period | Paychecks per year | Example | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | Mon–Sun, paid the next Friday | Short periods, easy to check |
| Biweekly | 26 (sometimes 27) | Every other Friday | Two months a year usually have three paydays |
| Semimonthly | 24 | 1st–15th and 16th–end of month | Fixed dates; each period has 13–16 days |
| Monthly | 12 | Whole calendar month | Longest wait between paychecks |
Biweekly: every two weeks
A biweekly schedule repeats exactly every 14 days, usually on the same weekday. A year has 52 weeks, so that's 26 paychecks — and in years where the calendar lines up, 27. Because months are longer than four weeks, two months a year usually have three paydays. For a full-time hourly worker, a biweekly period is typically 80 scheduled hours.
Semimonthly: twice a month
A semimonthly schedule pays on two fixed dates each month, such as the 15th and the last day. That's 24 paychecks a year. Because periods are tied to dates, not weekdays, each one covers between 13 and 16 days, so the number of shifts — and the paycheck for an hourly worker — can vary from period to period.
Overtime doesn't follow the pay period
Under the federal FLSA, overtime is calculated per workweek, no matter how often you're paid. With a semimonthly schedule, a workweek can straddle two pay periods; its overtime is still based on all hours in that week. That's why it helps to know both your pay period and the day your workweek starts.
Pay period vs payday
The pay period is the range of days your paycheck covers; payday is when the money arrives. Many employers close the period several days before payday to run payroll. When you check a paycheck, add up the hours from that period's dates, not from the weeks leading up to payday.
Set your exact pay period in Punchly
In Punchly, choose weekly, every 2 weeks, twice a month or monthly, set the closing day (or the anchor date for biweekly) and the day your week starts. The first screen shows the current period's dates, hours, estimated pay and how many days are left until it closes. Step back through past periods in the report and share any of them as a timesheet.
Not payroll or legal advice
This guide is general information about tracking hours and estimating pay. It is not payroll, tax or legal advice. Overtime and pay rules differ by country, state, industry and employment agreement. If you're unsure about your situation, check with your employer's payroll team, your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
Track hours by your real pay period
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