Calculate Your PTO
How PTO Accrual Works
Most companies accrue PTO proportionally throughout the year rather than granting the full balance on day one. If you get 15 days annually, you earn about 1.25 days per month. The calculator pro-rates based on your actual employment dates, so a mid-year start date or a "as of" date partway through the year gives an accurate partial-year balance rather than assuming a full 12 months.
Common accrual rates in the US: 10 days (entry level), 15 days (mid-career), 20+ days (senior/management). Government and unionized positions often accrue on a tiered schedule that increases with tenure — for example, 10 days in years 1-3, 15 days in years 4-9, and 20+ days after 10 years of service.
Accrual Methods: Front-Loaded vs Per-Pay-Period
Not every company uses the same accrual method, and the difference affects how much PTO you actually have available at any given point in the year:
- Front-loaded (lump sum) — the full annual PTO balance is granted at the start of the year or on your hire anniversary. This gives employees maximum flexibility early in the year but means an employee who leaves mid-year may owe back unused, advanced PTO in some states.
- Per-pay-period accrual — PTO accrues gradually with each paycheck (e.g., biweekly), so the balance grows steadily rather than appearing all at once. This is the most common method for larger employers and is what this calculator models by default.
- Unlimited PTO — a small but growing number of companies (mostly tech and startups) offer no fixed accrual at all, relying on manager approval and team norms instead of a tracked balance.
What Happens to Unused PTO?
Policies vary widely by company and by jurisdiction. Some US states (including California and Montana) legally treat earned PTO as a form of wages, meaning employers cannot use "use it or lose it" policies and must pay out unused balances upon termination. Other states and most countries outside the US allow employers to cap rollover, require use by a certain date, or forfeit unused days at year-end — always check your specific employee handbook or local labor law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is PTO accrual calculated?
PTO accrual = (Annual PTO days ÷ 12) × months employed. For partial months, the calculation pro-rates by days.
Do public holidays count as PTO?
No — public holidays are separate from PTO. They're automatic days off that don't reduce your PTO balance. Use our business days calculator to see holidays for your country.
What's the difference between PTO and vacation days?
PTO (paid time off) typically combines vacation, sick leave, and personal days into a single pooled balance. Vacation days are a separate, narrower category used only for planned time off, with sick leave tracked independently. Whether your employer pools these depends on company policy.
Can my employer take away my unused PTO at the end of the year?
It depends on your location. Some US states legally treat accrued PTO as earned wages and prohibit "use it or lose it" forfeiture, while others permit capped rollover or year-end forfeiture. Check your state's labor law or your employee handbook for the specific policy that applies to you.
Does PTO accrue during unpaid leave?
Generally no — most accrual policies only add PTO for hours or pay periods actually worked, so extended unpaid leave (such as an unpaid portion of parental leave) typically pauses accrual until you return to active paid status.