PTO Accrual Calculator
Calculate how much Paid Time Off you earn per pay period and see a month-by-month accrual balance for the entire year.
Total PTO days granted per year
How often PTO is added to your balance
How often you receive a paycheck
Standard workday length (usually 8 hours)
Enter your PTO details, then click Calculate to see your accrual schedule.
How PTO Accrual Works
How PTO Accrual Works
Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual is how employers distribute time-off allowances throughout the year. Instead of granting all PTO on January 1st, most companies let employees earn time off gradually with each pay period.
Common Accrual Methods
- Per Pay Period: PTO is earned each paycheck. With bi-weekly pay (26 periods/year), 15 annual PTO days means earning about 0.58 days or 4.6 hours per pay period.
- Monthly: PTO accrues once per month. 15 annual days equals 1.25 days or 10 hours per month.
- Quarterly: PTO accrues every three months. 15 annual days equals 3.75 days per quarter.
- Annually: The full PTO balance is granted at the start of the year or on your work anniversary.
What a Typical PTO Policy Looks Like
Most US companies offer PTO on a tiered system based on tenure:
- 0–2 years: 10–15 days per year
- 3–5 years: 15–20 days per year
- 5–10 years: 20–25 days per year
- 10+ years: 25–30 days per year
PTO policies often include vacation days, personal days, and sometimes sick days combined into one bucket. Some companies also set a maximum accrual cap — once you reach it, you stop accruing until you use some PTO. Understanding your accrual rate helps you plan vacations and ensure you’re using your benefits fully.