Holiday Pay Calculator UK
Estimate the pay value of holiday days or hours.
How the holiday pay estimate works
If you choose weekly pay, the calculator divides weekly pay by working days per week, then multiplies by the holiday days. If you choose daily pay, it multiplies daily pay by holiday days. If you choose hourly pay, it multiplies hourly rate by holiday hours.
This is a pay-value calculator, not an entitlement calculator. Use the holiday calculator first if you need to work out how much leave is due.
What pay figure should I use?
For regular fixed pay, normal weekly or daily pay may be enough for a broad check. For shift work, irregular hours, commission, bonuses or variable pay, holiday pay can depend on average pay over a reference period and what counts as normal pay.
GOV.UK guidance says most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year, and holiday pay rules can differ depending on working pattern. Use this as a planning estimate, then check your contract, employer policy, payslip or Acas guidance where the answer matters.
Common holiday pay checks
Check whether bank holidays are included, whether overtime or commission should be reflected, whether the worker is full-year, part-year or irregular-hours, and whether holiday is being paid when taken or accrued in a pay period.
For starters and leavers, entitlement and pay are separate questions. Entitlement says how much leave is due. Holiday pay estimates the value of that leave once the amount of time is known.
When the simple estimate may not be enough
The simple methods are useful when pay is steady and you already know the holiday days or hours. They are less suitable where pay changes every week, where commission forms part of normal pay, or where the worker has an irregular-hours or part-year pattern.
For those cases, use the result as a rough check only. Compare it with the employer's calculation method and current guidance before relying on it for a payslip query or final payment.
Holiday pay FAQs
Is holiday pay the same as holiday entitlement?
No. Holiday entitlement is the amount of leave due, usually in days or hours. Holiday pay is the estimated money value of that leave.
Can I use this for irregular-hours workers?
You can use it for a rough check if you already know the holiday hours and pay rate, but irregular-hours holiday pay can depend on average pay and current rules.
What pay figure should I enter?
For steady pay, use normal weekly, daily or hourly pay. For variable pay, use a representative average and check employer policy or official guidance.