Work​Entitlements.co.uk

Holiday accrual calculator

Accrual is how entitlement builds through the year. For a regular pattern it's 1/12 of the annual figure per month (the method used in a first year of work); for irregular hours it's 12.07% of hours worked. This calculator shows what you've earned to date and what's left after leave already taken.

Accrual for regular patterns

2026/27

annual entitlement × months worked ÷ 12

During a first year of employment, leave accrues monthly in advance at one-twelfth of the annual amount, rounded up to the nearest half day.

Your year so far

Most leave years run January–December or April–March — check your contract.

When accrual actually matters

After the first year most employers let you book against the full annual allowance from day one of the leave year. Accrual maths comes back into play in three situations: a first year of employment (statutory accrual is monthly in advance), a departure part-way through the year (what you're owed), and checking whether taking leave early would leave you overdrawn if you then resigned.

Holiday keeps accruing while you're on maternity leave or off sick — a frequently underpaid corner of the rules.

Common questions

Does holiday accrue during my notice period?
Yes — notice is normal employment, and both worked notice and garden leave accrue holiday as usual. Only a payment in lieu of notice (PILON) ends accrual on the termination date.
Can I go into 'negative' holiday?
Only by agreement. If you leave having taken more than you accrued, your employer can deduct the excess from final pay only if the contract (or a written agreement) says so.
Does accrued holiday carry over to next year?
The first 4 weeks generally must be taken in-year; the extra 1.6 weeks can carry over by agreement. Leave you couldn't take because of maternity leave or sickness carries over by law.

Related calculators & guides

Sources for the figures on this page

Last checked 3 July 2026

How we keep these current: methodology & update policy.