A transparent calculation

How it works

What counts as a day of annual leave?

We include both dates you select. Each Monday to Friday counts as one leave day, unless that date is a published bank holiday in your chosen region. Saturdays and Sundays count towards the length of your break but use no annual leave in this calculation.

A simple example

In a week with no bank holidays, a Friday-to-Monday break is four calendar days and uses two weekdays of annual leave. If that Monday is a bank holiday in the selected region, the same break uses one weekday of annual leave. Your employer still needs to approve the time off.

Which region should I choose?

Choose the calendar your workplace follows. England and Wales share one published list. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own lists. Local public holidays and employer-specific closures are not included automatically.

What about substitute bank holidays?

The calculator uses the dates in the official list, including listed substitute days. It does not assume that an additional day off exists unless the source includes that date.

Can I use this for shift work or part-time work?

The result assumes a Monday–Friday working week. For shifts, compressed hours, part-time arrangements or a different weekend, calculate your actual scheduled workdays with your employer instead.

Can a range cross into another year?

Yes, if both years appear in the current holiday calendar. The highlighted recommendation examples are calculated within one year.

Why can this differ from an HR system?

Your contract may count bank holidays within your leave allowance or apply a different working pattern. This tool estimates weekdays away from work; it does not decide your legal entitlement or remaining balance.

How current is the information?

The source is checked weekly when the update service is running. The data import date appears in the footer. Always check the official source for last-minute changes.

Can I report a correction?

Use the contact page and include the region, dates and expected result. Do not send identity documents or confidential employment information.