PTO accrual formulas
Per hour worked: PTO earned = hours worked × accrual rate.
Per pay period: PTO earned = pay periods × PTO hours per period.
Projected balance: current balance + carryover + PTO earned − PTO used.
Example by hours worked
If the accrual rate is 0.05 PTO hours per hour worked and you work 160 hours, you earn 8 PTO hours.
Example by pay period
If a policy grants 4 PTO hours each pay period, four completed pay periods add 16 PTO hours before usage or caps.
Carryover and balance caps
Carryover adds eligible unused time from an earlier period. A balance cap limits the maximum banked amount. The calculator applies only the values you enter; it does not decide which policy or legal rule applies.
Vacation and time-off accrual
The same arithmetic can be used for vacation or general time-off accrual when the policy uses an hourly, pay-period, or fixed method. Try the PTO Accrual Calculator as a vacation or time-off accrual calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate PTO accrual per hour?
Multiply hours worked by the PTO hours earned for each hour worked.
How do I calculate PTO accrual per pay period?
Multiply the number of completed pay periods by the PTO hours granted each period.