PTO Accrual Calculator — How Much PTO Will I Have?
Updated · Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browser
Enter how your employer gives PTO (hours per year, hours per paycheck, or 1 hour for every so many hours worked), your pay frequency and current balance. The calculator shows PTO earned per paycheck, per year and your balance after the paychecks you choose.
For example, 1 hour of PTO for every 30 hours worked at 40 hours a week is about 2.67 hours per biweekly paycheck. Add your cap to see when accrual stops.
- Balance after 26 paychecks
- 120 h
- 15 days
- Earned per paycheck
- 4.62 h
- 0.58 days
- Earned per year
- 120 h
- 15 days
- Paychecks until cap
- No cap
Assumes you take no PTO in between and every paycheck is a full period. Your employer’s policy and pay stub are the final word.
PTO per paycheck by yearly PTO (hours)
| PTO per year | Weekly (52) | Biweekly (26) | Twice a month (24) | Monthly (12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h (5 days) | 0.77 h | 1.54 h | 1.67 h | 3.33 h |
| 80 h (10 days) | 1.54 h | 3.08 h | 3.33 h | 6.67 h |
| 120 h (15 days) | 2.31 h | 4.62 h | 5 h | 10 h |
| 160 h (20 days) | 3.08 h | 6.15 h | 6.67 h | 13.33 h |
| 200 h (25 days) | 3.85 h | 7.69 h | 8.33 h | 16.67 h |
Worked examples
120 hours a year, paid biweekly
- 120 ÷ 26 paychecks
→ 4.62 hours per paycheck
1 hour per 30 hours worked, 40 h/week, biweekly
- 80 hours worked per paycheck ÷ 30
→ 2.67 hours per paycheck
Balance 100 h, cap 160 h, 120 h/year biweekly
- 4.62 h per paycheck
- Cap reached after 14 paychecks
→ 160 h after 26 paychecks (capped)
How PTO accrual works
- Hours per year: your yearly PTO divided by the number of paychecks (52, 26, 24 or 12).
- Per hours worked: PTO hours earned × (hours worked in the pay period ÷ hours needed).
- A cap stops accrual once your balance reaches it; you start earning again after you use PTO.
- To convert hours to days, divide by the hours in your workday (usually 8).
Check your policy
Federal law does not require paid vacation, so accrual rates, caps, carryover and payout when you leave are set by your employer and, in some states, by state law (for example paid sick leave rules). Your handbook and pay stub are the final word. This calculator does not give legal or HR advice.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor — Vacation Leave — Paid vacation is a matter of agreement between employer and employee
Checked 2026-10-31.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate PTO accrual per pay period?
Divide your yearly PTO hours by your number of paychecks. 120 hours a year paid biweekly is 120 ÷ 26 = 4.62 hours per paycheck.
What does 1 hour per 30 hours worked mean?
You earn 1 hour of PTO for every 30 hours you work. At 40 hours a week that is about 69.33 hours a year, or 2.67 hours per biweekly paycheck.
What is a PTO cap?
The most PTO you can have at once. When your balance reaches the cap you stop earning until you use some. Enter it above to see how many paychecks until you hit it.
How many days is 80 hours of PTO?
10 days if your workday is 8 hours. Change “Hours in a workday” for 10-hour or part-time schedules.
Do salaried employees accrue PTO the same way?
Usually per paycheck or per year rather than per hour worked, but it depends on the policy. Pick the method your handbook uses.
Is my information saved?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and does not store or send what you enter.