Pay Period Calculator

The pay period calculator generates every pay date for a year based on your pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly or monthly) and a single start date. Use it for payroll planning, budgeting, employee onboarding, or to print a pay schedule for the year. The result shows the total number of pay periods and each individual pay date.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter the year you want the schedule for.
2. Choose your pay frequency: weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly or monthly.
3. Enter the first pay date of the year.
4. The calculator lists every pay date for the year and the total number of periods. Use the Print button to save the schedule.

Worked example

A company runs biweekly payroll with the first pay date of 2026 on January 9. The calculator generates all 26 pay dates for the year (every other Friday: Jan 9, Jan 23, Feb 6, and so on through December 18). The payroll team prints that list once and uses it for the whole year — no spreadsheet formulas to maintain.

Frequently asked questions

How many pay periods are in a year?

Weekly pay has 52 periods, biweekly has 26, semi-monthly has 24, and monthly has 12. In some years, biweekly pay can have 27 periods when the first pay date falls early in January.

What is the difference between biweekly and semi-monthly?

Biweekly pay happens every two weeks (26 times per year, usually on the same weekday). Semi-monthly pay happens twice per month — typically on the 1st and 16th — totaling 24 pay periods per year.

Does this calculator account for holidays?

No. This calculator generates pay dates based on the selected frequency and start date. If a pay date falls on a holiday, check our holiday pages to see if it would be observed on a different date.

Can I print the pay schedule?

Yes. Click the Print button above the pay dates table to print or save as PDF. The table prints cleanly on US Letter or A4 paper.