How Many Hours Is Full-Time in the UK?
Full-time is not defined in law. It is whatever your contract says, though 35 to 40 hours a week is typical.
No legal definition
UK law does not say how many hours count as full-time. Your employer decides in your contract. Most full-time jobs are between 35 and 40 hours a week, and many public-sector jobs, such as the NHS, use 37.5 hours.
What the statistics use
The Office for National Statistics treats employees working more than 30 paid hours a week as full-time when it publishes pay figures. Our average salary pages use that definition.
The working time limit
Under the Working Time Regulations, most workers cannot be made to work more than an average of 48 hours a week, normally averaged over 17 weeks, unless they choose to opt out in writing.
Why it matters
- Holiday: workers get 5.6 weeks paid holiday, pro rata for part-timers. Use the holiday entitlement calculator.
- Pay: to turn a salary into an hourly rate, divide by 52 and by the weekly hours. See the hourly to salary calculator.
- Part-time pay: see part-time pay after tax.
This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates checked 8 October 2026 against GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
Is 35 hours full-time?
Often yes. There is no legal rule, so it depends on the contract. ONS counts anything over 30 paid hours as full-time in its statistics.
What is the maximum working week in the UK?
An average of 48 hours a week for most workers, unless they opt out in writing.
Related
Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year from official sources and are estimates for guidance only, not financial or legal advice. Printed from ukanswers.co.uk.