Accrual Cap Calculator
Calculate when your PTO balance will hit the accrual cap and stop earning. See how close you are to the cap and how many hours to use before accrual pauses.
Carryover Limit Calculator
Calculate how much unused PTO carries over to the next year and how much is forfeited. Compare balance against your employer’s carryover cap to plan usage.
hrs
hrs
$
hrs
Carries Over⧉
80.00 hrs
Worth $2,800.00
At Risk of Forfeiture⧉
40.00 hrs
5.00 days to schedule before deadline
Forfeited Value⧉
$1,400.00
At risk under hard-cap policy
PTO Utilization⧉
25.00%
40.00 hrs used of 160.00 accrued
Burn Rate Needed⧉
5.00 hrs/wk
Feasible in 8.00 weeks
Org Forfeiture Exposure⧉
$140,000.00
4,000.00 hrs across 100.00 employees
Balance Breakdown
Safe: 80.00 hrsAt risk: 40.00 hrs
Cap: 80.00 hrsBalance: 120.00 hrs
Scenarios
| Scenario | Carried Over | Hours Lost | Value Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| No action (forfeit) | 80.00 hrs | 40.00 hrs | $1,400.00 |
| Use 50% before deadline | 80.00 hrs | 20.00 hrs | $700.00 |
| Use all excess | 80.00 hrs | 0.00 hrs | $0.00 |
| Maximize + cap next year | 80.00 hrs | 0.00 hrs | $0.00 |
Cap Sensitivity Analysis
| Cap (hrs) | Carryover | Forfeited | Forfeited Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40.00 hrs | 80.00 hrs | $2,800.00 |
| 60 | 60.00 hrs | 60.00 hrs | $2,100.00 |
| → 80 | 80.00 hrs | 40.00 hrs | $1,400.00 |
| 100 | 100.00 hrs | 20.00 hrs | $700.00 |
| 120 | 120.00 hrs | 0.00 hrs | $0.00 |
| 160 | 120.00 hrs | 0.00 hrs | $0.00 |
Planning notes, formulas, and examples
About the Carryover Limit Calculator
Most employers cap the number of PTO hours or days that can roll over from one year to the next. Any balance exceeding the cap is forfeited under "use it or lose it" policies. Understanding your carryover limit is essential to avoid losing earned time off.
This calculator compares your unused PTO balance against the carryover cap to show exactly how many hours carry over and how many are at risk of forfeiture. It also calculates the dollar value of the potentially forfeited time.
Use This calculator in Q4 to plan remaining PTO usage and ensure you don't leave earned benefits on the table.
When This Page Helps
Employees forfeit an estimated $65.5 billion in PTO annually. This is money and rest you've earned. This calculator alerts you to potential forfeiture so you can plan ahead.
How to Use the Inputs
- Enter your current unused PTO balance (in hours or days).
- Enter your employer's carryover limit (maximum that rolls over).
- Enter your hourly rate to see the dollar value at risk.
- Review the carryover amount, forfeited amount, and forfeited value.
- Plan remaining usage to minimize or eliminate forfeiture.
Formula used
Carryover = Min(Unused Balance, Carryover Cap)
Forfeited = Max(Unused Balance − Carryover Cap, 0)
Forfeited Value = Forfeited × Hourly RateExample Calculation
Result: 40 hours forfeited ($1,400 value)
120 hours unused, cap is 80. Carryover: 80 hours. Forfeited: 120 − 80 = 40 hours. Value lost: 40 × $35 = $1,400.
Tips & Best Practices
- Start planning PTO usage in October to avoid year-end forfeiture.
- Some states prohibit use-it-or-lose-it policies — check your state's labor laws.
- Employers may offer a "grace period" (e.g., use carryover by March 31).
- If you can't take time off, ask whether encashment is an option.
- Track carryover limits separately from total PTO balance in your personal records.
- Some employers reset carryover on the hire anniversary rather than the calendar year.
The Cost of Forfeiture
Americans collectively forfeit over 768 million vacation days per year. At average wage rates, this represents tens of billions in earned benefits — time and money gone forever. Don't contribute to this statistic.
State-by-State Variations
PTO carryover and forfeiture laws vary significantly. California treats PTO as earned wages that can never be forfeited. Illinois requires a grace period. Many states leave it entirely to employer policy. Know your state's rules.
Strategies to Maximize Your PTO
Plan quarterly check-ins on your PTO balance. Book time off early in the year when calendars are open. Use long weekends for short recharges. Communicate with your manager about upcoming time off well in advance.
Sources & Methodology
Last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
A carryover limit is the maximum number of PTO hours or days that can roll from one year (or accrual period) to the next. Balances exceeding the cap are typically forfeited.
In many states, yes. However, states like California, Montana, and Colorado have laws restricting or prohibiting PTO forfeiture. Always check your specific state's regulations.
Common caps range from 40–80 hours (1–2 weeks) to 1.5 times the annual accrual. Some generous employers allow unlimited carryover, though this creates liability on their books.
Forfeited PTO simply disappears from your balance. The employer saves the cash cost of those hours. There is no payout for forfeited time unless your state law or employer policy requires it.
Some employers offer exceptions for employees who couldn't take PTO due to business needs. It's worth asking, especially if heavy workload prevented time off usage.
Carryover and accrual caps are separate concepts. Carryover limits how much rolls to the new year. The accrual cap limits maximum balance at any time. Both can apply simultaneously.
More in this topic
PTO Balance Calculator
Calculate your current PTO balance by tracking opening balance, accrued hours, time used, forfeitures, and carryover. Stay on top of your leave bank.
Time-Off Liability Calculator
Calculate total PTO liability on your company’s balance sheet. Sum unused PTO across all employees and their hourly rates to determine accrued leave obligations.