PTO & Final Paycheck Calculators
Use this vacation accrual calculator to estimate vacation time earned under common employer accrual methods. Actual vacation balances can depend on employer policy, caps, waiting periods, carryover rules, payroll timing, and official payroll records.
Last updated: June 2026
Estimate only: This calculator provides an estimate only and is not legal, tax, payroll, or financial advice. PTO and final paycheck rules depend on state law, employer policy, employment agreement, and local regulations.
Browser-based estimate
Estimate earned vacation hours, used vacation, available vacation, and equivalent vacation days from common accrual methods.
The calculator estimates earned vacation time from the accrual method you select. If your policy gives vacation days per year, it converts days to hours, divides by pay periods per year, and multiplies by completed pay periods.
If your employer grants a fixed number of vacation hours per pay period, the calculator multiplies that amount by completed pay periods. If vacation accrues per hour worked, it multiplies hours worked by the accrual rate.
Vacation accrual means vacation time is earned gradually instead of being treated as one guaranteed annual amount on day one. The balance may grow each pay period, each month, or as hours are worked.
Some employers show available vacation before it is fully earned, so check whether the policy uses accrued, available, advanced, or frontloaded language.
Annual vacation hours = vacation days per year x hours per workday.
Vacation earned per pay period = annual vacation hours / pay periods per year.
Available vacation = accrued vacation - used vacation.
This vacation day accrual calculator converts annual vacation days into hours, then estimates earned time based on completed pay periods or hours worked.
If your employer tracks vacation in days, keep your normal hours per workday accurate. A 10-hour shift schedule will convert differently from an 8-hour schedule.
If you receive 10 vacation days per year and work 8-hour days, the annual vacation amount is 10 x 8 = 80 vacation hours per year.
If you are paid biweekly, 80 / 26 = 3.08 vacation hours per pay period. After 10 pay periods, 3.08 x 10 = 30.8 vacation hours accrued before subtracting any vacation already used.
After estimating newly accrued vacation, use the vacation balance calculator to combine starting balance, accrued vacation, and used vacation. If your records are in days or weeks, use the PTO conversion calculator before entering hours.
This keeps accrual math separate from payout questions. A vacation balance can help you plan time off, while payout depends on employer policy, state rules, and final payroll handling.
Vacation accrual applies when the employer tracks vacation as its own leave bank. PTO accrual applies when the employer uses a broader paid time off bank. If your policy uses one combined bank, compare this page with the PTO accrual calculator.
The math can look similar, but the legal and policy treatment may differ. Sick leave, vacation, floating holidays, and general PTO may not all accrue, roll over, or pay out the same way.
Start with the method in your employer policy. Vacation may accrue as days per year, hours per pay period, or hours per hour worked. Then subtract vacation already used.
Sometimes, but not always. Vacation may be a separate bank, while PTO may combine vacation, personal time, and sometimes other paid leave. The written policy controls the distinction.
Many employers use accrual caps or carryover limits. Whether a cap is allowed or how it applies can depend on state law and policy wording, so verify current guidance.
It depends on employer policy and state or local rules. Some policies allow carryover, some cap carryover, and some may limit unused time. Verify before assuming.
It depends on the employer policy, the type of leave, and sometimes state or local rules. Check whether the policy says accrual continues during paid leave, unpaid leave, disability leave, or protected leave.
Payroll records may include rounding, manual adjustments, waiting periods, carryover limits, recent usage, corrections, or a different accrual date than the calculator assumes.
Use the PTO accrual calculator if your employer uses a general PTO bank. Use this vacation accrual calculator if your employer tracks vacation separately.
Estimate only: This calculator or guide provides an estimate or general information only and is not legal, tax, payroll, or financial advice. PTO, vacation, sick leave, rollover, payout, and final paycheck rules can depend on state law, employer policy, employment agreement, local rules, and individual facts. Verify with official sources, your employer, or a qualified professional.