PTO balance calculator
Choose your calculation type below
Your annual PTO allowance from employer
Days taken this year including pending
Approved future time off
PTO carried over from previous year
Data sources and official PTO references
All PTO payout law data sourced from state wage payment acts and labor department guidance
PTO and vacation payout laws vary significantly by state. Our data is sourced from state wage payment statutes, labor department guidance documents, and significant court decisions that establish how vacation pay is treated under state law.
Primary sources
- U.S. Department of Labor - Vacation Pay — federal guidance on vacation pay (FLSA does not require vacation pay)
- California DLSE - Vacation FAQ — California vacation-as-wages rule under Labor Code 227.3
- Colorado Division of Labor - Vacation Pay — Colorado earned vacation payout requirement
- Massachusetts Attorney General - Wage and Hour Laws — Massachusetts vacation as wages rule
- National Conference of State Legislatures - Paid Sick Leave — state paid sick leave law tracker
- SHRM - State Vacation Pay Laws at Termination — HR professional reference for state vacation payout requirements
PTO laws change. For questions about your specific situation contact your state labor department or an employment attorney. Found an error? Contact us.
Frequently asked questions - PTO
Do employers have to pay out unused PTO when you leave?
It depends on your state. California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Rhode Island require employers to pay out all accrued unused PTO upon termination. Most other states allow employers to set their own policy - if your employer's policy says PTO is paid out, they must honor it. Always check your employee handbook and state law.
How is PTO accrual calculated?
PTO accrual is typically calculated as hours earned per pay period. For example, if you earn 15 days (120 hours) per year paid bi-weekly, you accrue 120 / 26 = 4.62 hours per pay period. Some employers give a lump sum at the start of the year instead of accruing gradually. Your employee handbook should specify your accrual method.
Can employers have a use-it-or-lose-it PTO policy?
In most states yes - employers can require you to use PTO by year end or forfeit it. However, California, Colorado, and a few other states prohibit use-it-or-lose-it policies because they classify accrued PTO as earned wages. In these states, unused PTO must roll over or be paid out.
What is the difference between PTO and vacation days?
PTO (Paid Time Off) is a combined bank of paid leave that covers vacation, sick days, and personal days. Traditional vacation days are separate from sick leave. Most modern employers use a single PTO bank for simplicity. The key difference is that PTO can be used for any reason, while vacation time is typically pre-scheduled and sick days require an illness.