Holiday Pay Calculator (UK)
UK holiday pay is not your basic rate — it is your normal remuneration, averaged over the last 52 weeks you were paid, including regular overtime and commission. Enter your earnings and this works out what each week and each day of leave is worth.
Holiday pay calculator — 52-week average
Average weekly pay
£600.00
£600.00 per week of leave
Quick answer: UK holiday pay = total pay in the last 52 weeks ÷ 52, then ÷ days per week for a day's pay. On £31,200 a year over 52 weeks, that is £600 a week, or £120 a day for a 5-day week. Regular overtime, commission and allowances must be included.
Why holiday pay is not your basic rate
Since the Supreme Court decision in Harpur Trust v Brazel (2022) and the 2024 changes to the Working Time Regulations, holiday pay must reflect normal remuneration. That means regular overtime, commission, shift premiums and allowances are all part of the calculation — only genuinely occasional, non-contractual extras can be left out.
- Reference period: the previous 52 weeks in which you were paid.
- Excluded weeks: any week with no pay (for example a long unpaid absence) is skipped and the period reaches further back.
- Hourly equivalent: weekly pay ÷ your normal weekly hours.
- Termination: untaken statutory leave must be paid at the same average rate.
What must be included in holiday pay
| Payment | Included? |
|---|---|
| Basic salary or hourly pay | Yes |
| Regular contractual overtime | Yes |
| Non-guaranteed but regularly worked overtime | Yes, if it is normal |
| Commission | Yes |
| Shift premium, unsocial hours, on-call allowance | Yes |
| Travel or subsistence reimbursement | No |
| Genuinely occasional, one-off bonus | Usually no |
Frequently asked questions
How is holiday pay calculated in the UK?
Average gross pay over the last 52 paid weeks, divided by 52 for a week's holiday pay, then by your normal days per week for a day's pay.
Does holiday pay include overtime?
Yes, if the overtime is regular or compulsory — including compulsory non-guaranteed overtime. Only genuinely occasional overtime can be excluded.
Can my employer pay holiday pay at basic rate only?
If you regularly work overtime or earn commission, no. Paying basic rate only is one of the most common unlawful underpayments, and claims can go back two years.
What is the 52-week reference period?
The calculation looks back over 52 weeks in which you were paid, including weeks worked before any pay rise — which can drag the average down slightly. Employers must skip weeks with no pay rather than counting them as zero.
How much holiday am I owed if I leave?
Accrued but untaken statutory leave must be paid in your final payslip at your average holiday pay rate. Use the leaving-a-job calculator to work out the balance.