Free PTO Calculator — Accrual, Balance & Payout
Calculate paid time off accrual, current balance, and estimated payout for all 50 states. Choose your state and accrual method for accurate results.
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California treats earned vacation/PTO as wages. All accrued, unused vacation must be paid out upon termination regardless of separation type.
Employers cannot require employees to forfeit earned vacation. Employers may set a reasonable accrual cap (e.g., 1.5× to 1.75× annual accrual).
Caps must be reasonable. DLSE guidance suggests at least 1.5× annual accrual.
Statute: Cal. Labor Code §227.3
Your Results
3.08 hrs
80 ÷ 26 = 3.08 hrs
80 hrs (10.0 days)
3.08 × 26 = 80 hrs
0.0 hrs (0.0 days)
Current balance (0) − used (0) = 0.0 hrs
Enter your hourly rate to see PTO dollar value and payout estimate.
| Month | Accrued | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.67 h | 6.67 h |
| February | 6.67 h | 13.33 h |
| March | 6.67 h | 20.00 h |
| April | 6.67 h | 26.67 h |
| May | 6.67 h | 33.33 h |
| June | 6.67 h | 40.00 h |
| July | 6.67 h | 46.67 h |
| August | 6.67 h | 53.33 h |
| September | 6.67 h | 60.00 h |
| October | 6.67 h | 66.67 h |
| November | 6.67 h | 73.33 h |
| December | 6.67 h | 80.00 h |
How This PTO Calculator Works
This PTO calculator helps you figure out how much paid time off you earn per pay period, your current available balance, and what you could receive if you leave your job. Enter your state so we can apply the right rules: some states require employers to pay out unused PTO at termination, while others leave it to company policy.
You can choose among three common accrual methods: per pay period (e.g., a fixed amount each biweekly check), per hour worked (typical for part-time or variable schedules), or annual lump sum (full allowance granted once a year). Optional fields let you add your hourly rate for dollar values and your current PTO balance for a more accurate picture.
Understanding PTO Accrual & Payout by State
PTO payout rules vary by state. In states like California and Illinois, employers must pay out earned, unused vacation when you leave. In others, payout depends on your employer's written policy. Use the state selector above to see your state's rules, or browse our PTO laws by state list for a full overview.
PTO Calculator FAQ
Enter your state, accrual method (per pay period, per hour worked, or annual lump sum), annual PTO hours, and optional fields like current balance and hourly rate. The calculator shows your accrual per period, annual accrual, available balance, and—if you enter an hourly rate—your PTO dollar value and estimated payout on termination. State-specific PTO payout rules are displayed based on your selection.
PTO accrual is the rate at which you earn paid time off. Common methods include: per pay period (e.g., a fixed number of hours each biweekly check), per hour worked (typical for part-time jobs), or annual lump sum (full allowance granted at once). Your employer's handbook or HR can confirm which method your company uses.
It depends on your state. States like California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, and North Dakota require employers to pay out earned, unused PTO at separation. In other states, payout depends on your employer's written policy or is not required by law. Use the state selector in the calculator to see your state's rule.
Use-it-or-lose-it means unused PTO is forfeited at year-end or when employment ends. Some states prohibit this (e.g., California, Montana, Nebraska); others allow it under conditions. The calculator shows your state's use-it-or-lose-it status.
Yes. Choose "Per hour worked" as the accrual method and enter your typical hours per week. The calculator will compute how much PTO you accrue per hour worked and per pay period.
Yes. The PTO calculator is 100% free with no sign-up and no data stored. All calculations run in your browser.
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