Holiday Entitlement Calculator UK
Calculate your annual leave entitlement for full-time, part-time, or zero-hours contracts. Based on the UK statutory 5.6 weeks under the Working Time Regulations 1998.
Zero-hours and irregular hours workers accrue holiday at 12.07% of hours worked. This is the statutory method recommended by GOV.UK.
Annual Entitlement
28.0 days
5.6 weeks
Per Month
2.33 days
18.75 hrs
Bank Holidays
8 days
Included in entitlement
Remaining
28.0 days left
Entitlement Breakdown
Based on UK government guidance. Last updated:
UK Statutory Holiday Entitlement
Every worker in the UK is legally entitled to paid annual leave. Here's exactly what the law says — sourced from GOV.UK.
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, almost all workers in the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days for a full-time 5-day week) of paid holiday per year. This is the statutory minimum — your employer may offer more as part of your contract.
Who Gets It
Almost all workers — full-time, part-time, agency, zero-hours contract, and casual workers. You must be classified as a "worker" (not necessarily an employee) to qualify.
Who Doesn't
Self-employed contractors, some armed forces personnel, police officers (in specific circumstances), and domestic workers who live in their employer's household.
Part-time workers get the same 5.6 weeks, pro-rated to their hours. If you work 3 days a week, you get 16.8 days (3/5 of 28). Your employer cannot round down your entitlement below this pro-rated amount — it must be at least the calculated figure. See GOV.UK part-time guidance.
Bank holidays are not a separate legal entitlement in the UK. Employers can choose to include them as part of your 5.6 weeks or give them in addition. Most full-time workers receive 28 days including 8 bank holidays — meaning 20 days plus 8 bank holidays. Use our calculator above to see both scenarios.
Holiday Entitlement by Days Worked
Quick reference based on the statutory 5.6 weeks. Use our calculator for a personalised result.
| Days/Week | Hours/Week | Annual Leave (Days) | Annual Leave (Weeks) | Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | 37.5 hrs | 28.0 days | 5.6 weeks | 2.33 days |
| 4 days | 30.0 hrs | 22.4 days | 5.6 weeks | 1.87 days |
| 3 days | 22.5 hrs | 16.8 days | 5.6 weeks | 1.40 days |
| 2 days | 15.0 hrs | 11.2 days | 5.6 weeks | 0.93 days |
| 1 day | 7.5 hrs | 5.6 days | 5.6 weeks | 0.47 days |
Assumes standard 7.5-hour day. Hours are pro-rated. See GOV.UK for official guidance.
UK Bank Holidays 2026
There are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026. Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland has 10. Your holiday entitlement may or may not include these.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day (substitute) | 28 December | Monday |
England & Wales. When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is given. See GOV.UK bank holidays.
Carrying Over Holiday
What happens to unused holiday at the end of the year depends on your contract and your employer's policy.
Statutory Leave (4 Weeks)
You can carry over up to 4 weeks (20 days for full-time) of your statutory leave into the next year, but only if your employer agrees. They cannot force you to take it.
Extra Leave (1.6 Weeks)
The remaining 1.6 weeks (8 days for full-time) can only be carried over if your contract specifically allows it. Otherwise it's lost at the end of the leave year.
Source: GOV.UK — Carrying over holiday. Also see your work hours for tracking leave year boundaries.
Holiday Entitlement FAQ
Common questions about UK holiday entitlement and using this calculator.
Written by James Caldwell, SHRM-CP certified HR & payroll compliance expert with 15+ years of experience. James oversees all calculation tools and employment law content at WorkHoursCalculator.co.uk.
Last reviewed: