Holiday Entitlement Calculator (UK)
Work out your statutory paid holiday, whether you work full-time, part-time, part of the year or irregular hours.
| Weeks of paid holiday | 5.6 |
|---|---|
| Days (5 days a week) | 28 |
| Hours | 210 |
This is the legal minimum. Bank holidays can count towards it, and your contract may give you more.
Your statutory holiday rights
Almost every worker in Great Britain is entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of paid holiday each year. That includes part-time workers, agency workers and people on zero-hours contracts. The legal maximum is 28 days, so working six or seven days a week does not increase it.
| Days worked per week | Days of holiday |
|---|---|
| 5 | 28 |
| 4.5 | 25.2 |
| 4 | 22.4 |
| 3 | 16.8 |
| 2.5 | 14 |
| 2 | 11.2 |
| 1 | 5.6 |
Bank holidays
Employers do not have to give bank holidays as paid leave, but they can count them as part of your 5.6 weeks. Many contracts give 28 days plus bank holidays, or 20 days plus the eight public holidays in England and Wales. Check your contract to see what you get above the legal minimum.
Starting or leaving a job part-way through the year
If you join or leave during the leave year you build up holiday for the time you worked. For regular hours the calculator gives you the full-year entitlement multiplied by the months worked divided by 12. If you work irregular hours, or only part of the year, the rule is simpler: 12.07% of the hours you work.
Good to know
- Your holiday year is set by your contract. If it does not say, it starts on your first day.
- Holiday pay should reflect your normal pay, including regular overtime and commission.
- Your employer cannot pay you instead of giving you statutory holiday while you are still employed.
Sources: GOV.UK: Holiday entitlement. Figures last checked on 8 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many days holiday am I entitled to by law?
Almost all workers get 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year. For someone working five days a week that is 28 days, which is the maximum. Part-time workers get the same 5.6 weeks pro rata: 22.4 days on a four-day week and 16.8 days on a three-day week.
Do bank holidays count towards my 28 days?
They can. There is no legal right to time off on bank holidays, but employers are allowed to include them in your statutory 5.6 weeks. If your employer does not include them, you are entitled to 5.6 weeks plus whatever your contract says about bank holidays.
How is holiday worked out if I work irregular hours?
If your hours vary from week to week, or you work only part of the year, your paid holiday is 12.07% of the hours you work. It builds up as you work. This has applied to leave years starting on or after 1 April 2024.
How much holiday do I get if I start or leave part-way through the year?
You get a proportion of the full-year entitlement for the months you work in that leave year. Use the “months worked” option in the calculator to see it. Employers often round up to the nearest half day.
Can my employer refuse a holiday request?
Yes. Employers can control when holiday is taken, for example by refusing dates during busy periods or setting shutdown weeks, as long as they follow the notice rules in your contract and the law. If you are unsure, Acas can advise.
What happens to unused holiday when I leave?
You should be paid for any statutory holiday you have accrued but not taken by your last day. Check your contract for what applies to any extra contractual days.