How the Vacation Accrual Calculator Works
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 Formula
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.
Example Vacation Accrual Calculation
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.
Vacation Accrual vs PTO Accrual
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.