Income & Work

What Is Paid Time Off (PTO)?

Paid time off (PTO) is time away from work for which an employee is still paid, often combining vacation, personal days, and sometimes sick leave into one bank of hours. Policies usually define how PTO is earned (accrued), how much can be carried over, and whether unused time is paid out.

Accrual Example

Accruing 15 days (120 hours) a year over 26 biweekly pay periods adds about 4.6 hours per paycheck.

Legal Requirements

Many countries mandate a minimum amount of paid leave; in the United States, requirements vary by state and city.

🧮 Calculate It Yourself

Put Paid Time Off (PTO) into practice with these free calculators — no sign-up, nothing stored.

🕐 Time Card Calculator Enter your week's clock times to get total hours and estimated pay. Calculate → 💵 Salary ↔ Hourly Wage Converter Convert annual salary to hourly, weekly, biweekly, and monthly pay, or vice versa. Calculate →

🔗 Related Terms

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Last updated: September 27, 2026. This definition is for general educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or medical advice, and it does not recommend any product or course of action. For decisions about your own situation, consult a qualified professional.