Vacation Day Calculator
Work out how many vacation days you accrue, have left and need for a planned trip.
Last updated · View algorithm, constants and default inputs (JSON)
About this calculator
Estimate a leave balance using the accrual option and values you enter. The calculation is a planning aid; employer policy and local rules determine accrual dates, carryover, caps, approval, and forfeiture. Unlimited PTO does not mean a trip is automatically approved.
Worked example
calculated with the default values below
Annual leave allowance (days) 20 days · Months worked this year 8 months · Days already used 6 days · Accrual method Accrued monthly · Carryover from last year 2 days · Maximum carryover allowed 5 days · Days needed for the planned trip 10 days Days accrued so far 13.3 days · Days available now 9.3 days · Days left after the trip -0.7 days · Carryover above entered cap 0.0 days · Planning result Exceeds entered balance
General background references
Disclaimer
These calculators give general estimates. Sizing, pricing, availability and standards vary by brand, retailer and country, so treat the output as a starting point and confirm it against the seller's or authority's own figures.
Implementation source
This record describes the implementation used by this page. It is not independent validation. External references, when available, support only the stated formula or definition; estimates and custom rules retain their own assumptions.
Formula and variables
Monthly: R = min(c,c_max) + A₀÷12×m − u − p; front-loaded: R = min(c,c_max) + A₀ − u − p; F = max(0,c−c_max)
- A₀
- Annual allowance (days)
- m
- Months worked
- c
- Carryover (days)
- c_max
- Entered carryover cap
- u
- Days already used
- p
- Days planned for the trip
- R
- Remaining after the trip
- F
- Carryover above the entered cap
Unlimited PTO returns no numeric day balance; it does not imply trip approval. Monthly accrual is a simple annual/12 × months model; front-loaded grants the full allowance at year start. F is only the amount above the entered cap, not a legal forfeiture determination.
Frequently asked questions
What does the unlimited PTO option calculate?
It does not calculate a fixed day balance, so numeric balance fields are left blank in this mode. The text result reminds you to check approval and notice requirements. For other methods, monthly accrual is annual allowance ÷ 12 × months worked; a front-loaded plan grants the full entered allowance at the start of the year. Employer policy and local rules control the actual balance and carryover.