PTO accrual calculator.
Calculate earned PTO per pay period, per hour worked, or as a front-loaded grant, including mid-year proration.
PTO balance estimate
Projected earned PTO by month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Projection assumes the selected accrual pace continues and shows earned hours before future PTO use.
Three common PTO methods
Per pay period
Annual allowance ÷ pay periods × completed pay periods, capped at the annual allowance.
Per hour worked
Hours worked ÷ work hours required for one PTO hour, capped at the policy allowance.
Front-loaded
Annual allowance × calendar months remaining ÷ 12. Policies can instead use exact-day proration.
Federal source: US Department of Labor FLSA guidance. California caveat: a combined PTO plan must meet applicable sick-leave rules; see the California Labor Commissioner FAQ, including at least 40 hours or five days, whichever is greater, and possible stricter local ordinances. Sources checked 8 August 2026. Read our PTO accrual guide.
PTO accrual questions,clearly answered
Pay-period, hourly, front-loaded, federal, and California considerations explained.
Talk to our team01How do I calculate PTO per pay period?
Divide the annual PTO allowance by the number of pay periods, then multiply by completed pay periods. Keep extra decimal precision in payroll and round only for display.
02How does per-hour PTO accrual work?
Divide hours worked by the number of work hours required to earn one PTO hour. For example, one PTO hour per 30 worked hours is hours worked divided by 30.
03How is a front-loaded grant prorated for a mid-year hire?
This calculator uses completed calendar months remaining including the hire month: annual allowance multiplied by remaining months divided by 12. Your written policy may use exact days instead.
04Does federal law require paid vacation?
The Fair Labor Standards Act does not require paid vacation or payment for time not worked. Employer policy, contracts, and state or local law can create obligations.
05Can PTO satisfy California paid sick leave?
A PTO plan can satisfy California paid sick leave only if employees can use it for the required purposes and the plan meets accrual, availability, carryover, and use rules. State law generally requires at least 40 hours or five days, whichever is greater, and local ordinances may require more.