Days Off — PTO, Vacation & Holiday Tally — Smart Financial Analysis
The US is the only developed nation with zero federally mandated paid vacation. Tally your total days off.
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PTO (Paid Time Off) is typically calculated as: Vacation Days + Sick Days + Company Holidays. Vacation accrual varies by employer. Sick leave is typically reserved for illness, medical appointments, or caring for family. Unlimited PTO has no fixed allocation—employees take time with manager approval.
Ready to run the numbers?
Why: PTO (Paid Time Off) is typically calculated as: Vacation Days + Sick Days + Company Holidays. Some employers use a unified PTO bank; others separate vacation and sick leave. Tot...
How: Enter Vacation Days, Sick Days, Company Holidays to get instant results. Try the preset examples to see how different scenarios affect the outcome, then adjust to match your situation.
Run the calculator when you are ready.
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Your Days Off
Days Off Breakdown
Country Comparison
Accrual Timeline
Work-Life Balance
For educational purposes only — not financial advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions.
💡 Money Facts
Days Off — PTO, Vacation & Holiday Tally analysis is used by millions of people worldwide to make better financial decisions.
— Industry Data
Financial literacy can increase household wealth by up to 25% over a lifetime.
— NBER Research
The average American makes 35,000 financial decisions per year—many can be optimized with calculators.
— Cornell University
Globally, only 33% of adults are financially literate, making tools like this essential.
— S&P Global
Why Days Off Matter
The US is the only developed nation with zero federally mandated paid vacation days. The average American gets 10 vacation days — French workers get 25 minimum by law, plus 11 holidays. Yet 55% of Americans don't use all their PTO, leaving $65.5 billion in unused benefits on the table annually. This calculator tallies your total days off.
📋 Key Takeaways
- • US federal mandate: 0 paid vacation days — employers set policy
- • France mandates 25+ days; UK 28; Germany 20; Canada 10
- • 55% of Americans leave PTO unused — $65.5B in forgone benefits
- • Unlimited PTO often means fewer days taken (10–15 avg) than fixed PTO
- • Standard US worker: 10 vacation + 6 sick + 11 holidays ≈ 27 days off
- • French employee: 25 vacation + 11 holidays + RTT ≈ 36+ days off
💡 Did You Know?
📖 How It Works
- • Vacation — Paid days for rest, travel. US average 10; France 25+ by law.
- • Sick Leave — For illness, medical appointments. Some states mandate; others combine with PTO.
- • Holidays — Federal/company holidays (US ~11; varies by employer).
- • RTT — Réduction du temps de travail (France) — extra days for 35h workweek.
- • Floating — Personal holidays some employers offer.
Enter your vacation, sick, and holiday days above. Add RTT if you work in France (reduction du temps de travail) and floating holidays if your employer offers them. The calculator sums all categories for your total days off per year.
📅 When to Use This Calculator
Use this calculator when: comparing job offers (total days off matters), planning vacation budgets, understanding your PTO value, negotiating at hire, or checking if you're above or below average. It helps you see the full picture of vacation, sick, and holiday days in one place.
🎯 Tips
Use Your PTO
55% of Americans leave days unused. Plan vacations and use your earned time — it improves well-being and productivity.
Check Payout Laws
Some states (CA, CO) require PTO payout on separation. Know your rights before leaving a job.
Negotiate Upfront
PTO is often negotiable at hire. Executives may get 20+ days; new grads 10–15. Ask before accepting.
Unlimited PTO Reality
Unlimited often means 10–15 days taken. No accrual = no payout. Compare to fixed PTO before choosing.
📋 Days Off by Worker Type
| Profile | Vacation | Sick | Holidays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard US Worker | 10 | 6 | 11 | 27 |
| French Employee | 25 | — | 11 + RTT | 36+ |
| Tech (Unlimited) | ~12 | ~3 | 11 | 10–15 taken |
| Nurse | 12 | — | 6 | 18 |
| Manufacturing | 15 | — | 13 | 28 |
| Executive | 20 | — | 14 | 34 |
Manufacturing often includes a plant shutdown week (5 days) in holidays. Nurses may have fewer observed holidays due to 24/7 operations. Executives typically receive floating holidays in addition to standard vacation and federal holidays.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Leaving PTO unused — 55% of Americans do this. Plan vacations; unused days often have no cash value at separation (unless required by state).
- • Assuming unlimited = more — Workers with unlimited PTO take 10–15 days on average, often fewer than fixed 15–20 day policies.
- • Ignoring carryover deadlines — Use-it-or-lose-it policies mean forfeiting days. Check your handbook for rollover caps and deadlines.
- • Not negotiating at hire — PTO is often negotiable. Executives get 20+ days; new hires can sometimes negotiate 15 instead of 10.
❓ FAQ
See the FAQ section above for answers on PTO calculation, vacation accrual, sick leave vs PTO, unlimited PTO, PTO payout laws, and carryover policies.
📊 Days Off by the Numbers
📐 Formulas Explained
Vacation + Sick + Holidays + RTT + Floating
Example: 10 + 6 + 11 = 27 days (standard US worker)
Annual Days ÷ 26 pay periods = hours per period
10 days/year = 3.08 hrs/pay period (80 hrs ÷ 26)
Full-Time Leave × (Part-Time Hours ÷ 40)
20 hrs/week, 20 days FT → 10 days part-time
(Annual Salary ÷ 260) × Unused Days
$65,000 salary, 5 unused days ≈ $1,250 left on table
📚 Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks US leave benefits. OECD compares statutory leave across countries. SHRM provides employer policy benchmarks. Project: Time Off researches PTO usage and the $65.5B unused value statistic.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. PTO policies vary by employer and jurisdiction. Not legal or HR advice. Verify your entitlements with your employer and state labor department.
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