Almost all workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year. Someone working 5 days a week gets at least 28 days, which is also the statutory cap. Part-time workers with regular hours get 5.6 times their working week, so 3 days a week is 16.8 days. Employers can include bank holidays in the entitlement.
Step by step
- Days a week × 5.6For example 4 days × 5.6 = 22.4 days.
- Cap at 28 daysStatutory paid holiday is capped at 28 days.
- Pro-rata part yearsMultiply by the fraction of the leave year worked.
- Decide on bank holidaysSay in the contract whether they are included.
| Days worked a week | Statutory holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5.6 days |
| 2 | 11.2 days |
| 3 | 16.8 days |
| 4 | 22.4 days |
| 5 | 28 days |
| 6 | 28 days (capped) |
Worked example. A worker on 3 days a week, 7.5 hours a day, gets 16.8 days or 126 hours. If they join half way through the leave year, they get about 8.4 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is holiday entitlement 28 days plus bank holidays?
Not by law. Employers can include bank holidays in the 28 days.
How is part-time holiday worked out?
Multiply the days (or hours) worked each week by 5.6.
What about irregular hours workers?
For leave years starting on or after 1 April 2024, holiday builds up at 12.07% of hours worked.
Sources
Related guides
- Employers & HRHow to calculate holiday pay for irregular-hours and part-year workers in the UK
- Employers & HRHow to calculate the Bradford Factor, with examples
- Employers & HRStatutory Sick Pay: a guide for employers (2026/27)
- Employers & HRStatutory Maternity Pay: a guide for employers
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Last checked 4 November 2026. Rules change; check the sources above.