How to use the pto accrual calculator
Enter your starting PTO balance, hours earned per accrual period, number of future periods and PTO you expect to use. WorkTimeCheck calculates total accrued hours and your projected remaining balance.
Start with 24 PTO hours, accrue 3.08 hours for 10 periods and use 8 hours: the projected balance is 46.80 hours.
PTO accrual formula
Projected PTO equals starting PTO + (PTO earned per period × number of periods) − PTO used. The calculator also divides the projected hours by your entered workday length to show an equivalent number of workdays.
If you start with 24 hours, earn 3.08 hours for each of 10 periods and use 8 hours, you accrue 30.80 hours and finish with a projected 46.80-hour balance.
Biweekly, weekly and monthly PTO accrual
The tool is period-neutral. Use the accrual amount your policy assigns to one period, whether that period is weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly or another schedule. The number of periods must use the same schedule as the accrual rate.
PTO policy assumptions
The projection assumes the entered accrual continues unchanged. It does not automatically apply balance caps, tenure changes, carryover limits, forfeiture, waiting periods, front-loaded grants or eligibility rules. Compare the projection with the official policy and balance record.
Frequently asked questions
Is WorkTimeCheck free?
Yes. WorkTimeCheck calculators are free to use and do not require an account.
Are my time entries uploaded?
No. The calculator runs in your browser; WorkTimeCheck does not require you to submit employee time records to use the tool.
How do I calculate PTO accrual?
Multiply PTO earned per accrual period by the number of periods, add that amount to your starting balance and subtract PTO used.
Can I use this for biweekly PTO accrual?
Yes. If your employer credits PTO every biweekly pay period, enter the hours credited per period and the number of biweekly periods you want to project.
Does the calculator apply PTO caps or carryover rules?
No. Use the accrual rate and limits from your own policy. Caps, carryover, waiting periods and eligibility are not inferred automatically.