annual leave calculator uk

How annual leave works in the UK

In the UK, most workers are legally entitled to paid holiday. The statutory minimum is based on 5.6 weeks per leave year. For a full-time worker on a 5-day week, that is 28 days. For part-time workers, leave is calculated pro rata according to how many days they work.

This page gives you a practical annual leave calculator UK workers can use to estimate entitlement and remaining balance. It is especially useful if you are:

• part-time and unsure of your prorated leave,
• starting or leaving part-way through the leave year,
• working irregular hours and tracking accrual in hours,
• trying to understand whether bank holidays are included in your total entitlement.

Statutory annual leave formula (standard schedule)

Core formula

For workers with regular working days, statutory entitlement is:

days worked per week × 5.6

There is a legal cap of 28 days for statutory leave. So if someone works 6 days a week, 6 × 5.6 = 33.6, but statutory minimum still caps at 28 days.

Pro rata for part-year employment

If someone has not worked the full leave year, a simple estimate is:

full-year entitlement × (months worked ÷ 12)

Your employment contract may specify accrual by completed months, calendar days, or pay periods. The calculator here is intended as a clear approximation for planning.

Examples

• Full-time (5 days/week): 5 × 5.6 = 28 days annual leave.
• Part-time (3 days/week): 3 × 5.6 = 16.8 days.
• 4 days/week, joined halfway through year: 4 × 5.6 = 22.4 days full-year; 22.4 × 6/12 = 11.2 days accrued.

Irregular-hours and part-year workers

For many irregular-hours arrangements, holiday entitlement is commonly estimated using an accrual percentage of 12.07% of hours worked (subject to current legal and payroll practice). This can help estimate holiday hours as shifts vary across weeks.

Example:

• Hours worked in period: 400
• Accrual rate: 12.07%
• Holiday accrued: 400 × 0.1207 = 48.28 hours

The calculator above includes this mode so you can quickly estimate entitlement and subtract leave already taken.

Are bank holidays included in annual leave?

They can be. UK law provides 5.6 weeks total statutory leave, but does not automatically give bank holidays on top. Employers can:

• include bank holidays within the 5.6 weeks, or
• offer bank holidays in addition to statutory leave as an enhanced benefit.

Always check your contract or staff handbook for your exact policy.

Common annual leave questions

Can my employer round my holiday days?

Employers often round for administration, but they cannot reduce entitlement below the legal minimum.

What if I leave my job with unused leave?

You are usually entitled to payment in lieu of accrued but untaken statutory holiday when employment ends.

Can I carry over leave to next year?

Some leave may be carried forward depending on contract terms, business policy, and circumstances such as sickness or statutory leave.

Does sick leave affect holiday entitlement?

Generally, workers continue to accrue statutory holiday while off sick. Specific handling should follow company policy and UK employment law guidance.

Practical tips for tracking leave

• Record leave taken after each approved request.
• Track in the same unit your employer uses (days or hours).
• Include half-days and part-shift leave accurately.
• Review your balance monthly to avoid year-end surprises.
• Check whether your leave year runs January–December or another cycle.

Final note

This annual leave calculator UK guide is designed for estimation and planning. Employment contracts, collective agreements, and updated legal guidance can affect exact entitlements. If your case is complex, ask HR or seek professional advice.