Holiday Pay Calculator

What Is a Holiday Pay Calculator?

A Holiday Pay Calculator is a tool for estimating how much pay may be associated with a period of annual leave. This UK-focused calculator uses an average weekly pay figure, or an hourly rate and working hours, to estimate holiday pay for a selected number of holiday weeks or days.

It can be useful for employees, employers, payroll administrators and anyone comparing different working arrangements. The calculator provides a straightforward estimate without requiring a manual calculation.

Why Use a Holiday Pay Calculator?

Calculating holiday pay manually can be confusing when pay is expressed in different ways. This calculator lets you enter the figures you already have and produces an easy-to-read estimate.

How to Use the Holiday Pay Calculator

Enter the pay information you have available and select the amount of holiday you want to estimate.

1. Choose your pay information — Select average weekly pay or hourly rate and hours per week.
2. Enter your pay figures — Enter your gross weekly pay, or your hourly rate and average weekly hours.
3. Enter your holiday period — Enter the number of holiday weeks or, optionally, a number of holiday days.
4. Calculate your result — Click Calculate Holiday Pay to see the estimated holiday pay and calculation breakdown.

How Is Holiday Pay Calculated in the UK?

Holiday pay in the UK depends on the worker's circumstances, how they are paid and the type of annual leave being taken. For a straightforward estimate, holiday pay for one week can be approximated using the relevant average weekly pay. For example, if a worker's relevant weekly pay is £600, one week of holiday pay would be estimated at £600.

For an hourly worker, a simple estimate can be produced by multiplying the hourly rate by the average number of hours worked per week. If someone earns £15 per hour and works 37.5 hours per week, their basic weekly pay equivalent is £562.50. A one-week holiday estimate based on that figure would therefore be £562.50.

Holiday Pay Based on Weekly Pay

When you already know the relevant average weekly pay, the calculation is straightforward: multiply the weekly pay by the number of holiday weeks being estimated. For example, £600 per week for two weeks of holiday gives an estimated holiday pay amount of £1,200.

Holiday Pay Based on Hourly Rate

If you are paid hourly, you can first calculate a weekly pay equivalent by multiplying your hourly rate by your average weekly hours. You can then multiply the weekly amount by the number of holiday weeks being estimated. This provides a simple estimate and may not reflect all components that could be relevant to a particular worker's legal holiday pay calculation.

Holiday Pay Calculator Assumptions and Limitations

This calculator is intended as a general estimation tool rather than a legal or payroll determination. It uses the figures supplied by the user and does not automatically determine which elements of pay must legally be included in a particular holiday pay calculation.

Regular overtime, commission, variable pay, irregular hours, different types of annual leave and employment status can affect the calculation. The correct treatment can also depend on the applicable UK rules and the circumstances of the worker. Results should therefore be checked against the relevant employment contract, payroll information and current official guidance where accuracy is important.

Frequently Asked Questions