Your annual leave is the paid time off you get each year. Our free annual leave calculator keeps it all in one view: what you are entitled to, what you have taken, and what is still yours.
Enter your yearly entitlement in days, plus taken and planned days. You will see your remaining balance, the week equivalent, and how much of the year you have used.
How to use the annual leave calculator
- Enter your yearly entitlement in days.
- Enter the leave days you have already taken.
- Enter the days you have planned but not taken yet.
- See your remaining balance in days and weeks.
What is annual leave?
Annual leave is paid time off granted each year. In the US it is set by the employer. In many other countries, like the UK and Australia, a minimum amount is required by law.
Whatever your country, the idea is the same: a yearly bank of paid days for rest and personal life. This calculator tracks that bank in days, which is how most people plan trips. If your company tracks leave in hours instead, our time off calculator works in hours.
How annual leave entitlement works
Entitlement usually depends on where you work and how long you have been there.
- In the US, many employers start at 10 days and raise it with tenure, often reaching 15 to 20 days after five years.
- In the UK, full time workers get at least 28 days including public holidays by law.
- In Australia, full time workers get 4 weeks per year plus leave loading on top.
Check your contract or handbook for your exact number, then enter it above. If your entitlement recently increased with tenure, make sure you are using the new figure.
A worked example
Priya gets 20 days of annual leave per year. By August she has taken 6 days and has 5 more planned for a wedding trip. Her remaining balance is 9 days, which is almost 2 full weeks.
She wants a 2 week holiday in December, which needs 10 working days. She is 1 day short. Her options: carry over a day if her policy allows, take one unpaid day, or trim the trip. The calculator shows this gap months ahead, while she can still adjust.
Annual leave vs PTO
Annual leave and PTO are close cousins.
- Annual leave is the yearly bank of paid days off, counted in days.
- PTO is the US term that often means the same bank, sometimes plus sick days, and is often counted in hours.
If your company calls it PTO and tracks hours, our paid time off calculator covers the same ground with a year end projection.
Common annual leave mistakes
- Planning only taken days and forgetting planned ones. Both spend your balance. Enter both above.
- Assuming public holidays are free. They usually are, but in the UK the 28 day minimum can include them. Check your contract.
- Leaving it all for December. Calendars fill up and requests get denied. Spread leave across the year.
- Missing the carryover deadline. Many companies require you to use or schedule leave by a cutoff date. Mark it on your calendar now.
Tips to use your annual leave well
- Spread leave across the year instead of cramming it into December.
- Book popular periods early, before team calendars fill up.
- Leave a small buffer of 2 to 3 days for unplanned needs.
- Check carryover rules so days do not expire.
- Pair leave with public holidays for longer breaks. Our holiday leave calculator shows the best combinations.
Related calculators
- Paid Time Off Calculator: yearly PTO in hours with year end projection.
- Time Off Calculator: combined balance tracker for all leave types.
- Leave Loading Calculator: the 17.5 percent extra for Australian workers.
- Holiday Leave Calculator: combine leave with public holidays.
- PTO Planner: map your whole year of days off.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my remaining annual leave?
Subtract taken and planned days from your yearly entitlement. The calculator above does it in one step.
How many annual leave days am I entitled to?
It depends on your country and employer. US employers commonly offer 10 to 20 days, while the UK and Australia set legal minimums.
What is the difference between annual leave and PTO?
They usually mean the same yearly bank of paid days. PTO is the common US term and can also include sick days.
Can I carry unused annual leave to next year?
Sometimes. Many employers allow limited carryover, while others follow use it or lose it rules. Check your policy.
How many weeks is 20 days of annual leave?
4 weeks, based on a 5 day work week.
Do public holidays count as annual leave?
In most countries, no. Public holidays are separate. In the UK, the 28 day minimum can include them, so check your contract.
Should I count planned days as used?
Yes for planning purposes. A planned day is a committed day. The calculator tracks taken and planned separately so you see both.
What if I join a company mid year?
Your entitlement is usually prorated. If you start in July with a 20 day policy, expect around 10 days. Confirm the exact figure with HR.