Holiday Pay Calculator
Estimate holiday pay for hourly workers and part-time schedules. Enter your details below and click calculate.
How this holiday pay calculator works
This calculator estimates the value of your paid leave based on your hourly wage, your weekly schedule, and the number of holiday days you plan to take. It is especially useful for hourly workers, part-time workers, and anyone with variable schedules who wants a quick projection before booking time off.
The core approach is simple: it calculates your average daily pay from your weekly hours and days worked, then multiplies that by your holiday days. It also shows estimated accrued entitlement based on months worked in your holiday year.
Quick formula used
- Weekly pay = hourly rate × average weekly hours
- Daily pay = weekly pay ÷ days worked per week
- Pay for requested leave = daily pay × requested holiday days
- Accrued holiday days = annual entitlement × (months worked ÷ 12)
Why calculating holiday pay matters
Paid leave is part of your total compensation. If you do not understand how it is calculated, you might under-budget for time off or misunderstand what should appear on your payslip. A clear estimate helps you:
- Plan annual leave without cash-flow surprises
- Check whether your holiday pay looks accurate
- Understand pro-rata entitlement if you joined mid-year
- Compare offers with different working patterns
Using the calculator step by step
1) Enter your hourly rate
Use your current gross hourly wage before tax. If your rate recently changed, use the rate that applies to the period you are estimating.
2) Add average hours and days per week
If your pattern varies, use a realistic average. For example, if you typically work between 30 and 35 hours, a midpoint like 32.5 can be a practical estimate.
3) Enter annual entitlement
Many workers use 28 days (including public holidays where applicable), but your contract may differ. Always check your company policy.
4) Add months worked and leave already taken
These fields help estimate accrued leave and remaining balance. This is useful if you are partway through the year or started recently.
5) Enter planned leave days
The calculator then shows the estimated pay value for your requested time off and a projected remaining balance.
Example: holiday pay estimate
Suppose you earn £15/hour, work 37.5 hours over 5 days each week, and request 5 days of leave.
- Weekly pay = 15 × 37.5 = £562.50
- Daily pay = 562.50 ÷ 5 = £112.50
- Holiday pay for 5 days = 112.50 × 5 = £562.50
That means your one-week holiday pay estimate would be £562.50 gross.
Important notes for real-world payroll
Regular overtime and commissions
In many jurisdictions, holiday pay may need to reflect regular overtime, commission, and certain allowances, not just basic pay. If your compensation includes these, your true holiday pay could be higher than this simple estimate.
Shift premiums and variable hours
If your shifts vary significantly, employers often use an averaging period. The exact method depends on local law and payroll policy.
Pro-rata rules
If you join or leave partway through a holiday year, entitlement is generally pro-rated. This calculator includes a months-worked estimate, but your employer may calculate to the day or hour.
FAQ
Is this calculator suitable for salaried workers?
Yes, if you convert salary into an effective hourly rate and average weekly hours. For fixed salaries, one week of holiday often corresponds to one normal week of pay.
Can I use this for unpaid leave?
You can estimate the opposite impact: unpaid leave typically reduces pay by your daily rate times days unpaid.
Does this include tax and deductions?
No. Results are gross estimates before tax, pension, and other deductions.
Final thoughts
A reliable holiday pay estimate can make leave planning much easier. Use this calculator to build a quick forecast, then compare it with your payslip and employment contract. If there is a big mismatch, ask payroll for a detailed breakdown so you can verify entitlement, accrual, and pay components accurately.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational estimation only and is not legal, payroll, or tax advice.