Leave Balance Calculator
Project your future paid time off (PTO) balance and estimate its total cash payout value. Enter your starting balance, accrual rate per pay period, number of upcoming pay cycles, and planned time off to plan vacations or estimate terminal leave payouts.
Unused vacation or PTO hours currently credited to your balance
Standard biweekly rate (e.g. 4.62 hrs/period yields ~15 days/year)
Number of future pay cycles to project forward
Approved or scheduled upcoming time-off hours during this window
Base hourly wage to determine the cash value of accrued leave
Net hours available at the end of the projection period
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your current accrued leave balance in hours from your recent pay stub.
- Enter your PTO accrual rate earned per recurring pay period (e.g. 4.62 hours biweekly).
- Set the number of upcoming pay periods you want to project forward.
- Enter any planned vacation or time-off hours scheduled during this projection period.
- Enter your base hourly wage to calculate the terminal cash value of your leave.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
Total accrued hours are calculated by multiplying the period accrual rate by future pay cycles. Ending balance adds accrued hours to current balance and subtracts scheduled time off. Cash value multiplies positive balance by base hourly wage.
Worked Example
Employee with 40 hrs balance earning 4.62 hrs/period over 10 periods with 16 hrs planned leave at $32/hr
Frequently Asked Questions
How do standard PTO accrual rates translate to days per year?↓
On a standard 26-pay-period biweekly schedule: 3.08 hours per period yields 10 days (80 hours) per year; 4.62 hours yields 15 days (120 hours); and 6.15 hours yields 20 days (160 hours) annually.
What is a PTO accrual cap or "use-it-or-lose-it" rule?↓
Many employers enforce a maximum accumulation ceiling (such as 160 or 200 hours). Once an employee reaches the ceiling, accruals halt until existing leave is used. Some jurisdictions (e.g., California, Montana) legally restrict "use-it-or-lose-it" policies.
Are employers legally required to pay out unused leave upon resignation?↓
Requirements vary by state and jurisdiction. In states like California, Illinois, and New York, earned PTO is legally considered wages and must be paid out upon separation. In other states, company policy or employee handbook language dictates payout obligations.
What limitation should I keep in mind when using this calculator?↓
This calculator assumes a constant accrual rate and does not automatically enforce employer-specific rollover caps, anniversary tenure tier increases, or prorated partial pay period rules.
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Open calculator →Source Citation & Disclaimer
Informational tool only; not licensed tax, legal, or financial advice.