Notice Period Calculator
Estimate how much notice applies to an employment ending, based on length of service. Notice rules vary by country and contract, so set the model to match — and get the date the notice period would end.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your complete years of service.
- Choose a notice model — or enter a fixed contractual notice.
- Set the start date to see when the notice period ends.
Formula used
A common statutory pattern is one week of notice per complete year of service, often capped (e.g. at 12 weeks). Contracts frequently specify longer fixed periods, especially for senior roles. The right model depends entirely on your jurisdiction and contract.
Example calculation
5 years of service at 1 week per year: 5 weeks notice, ending about 35 days after the start date.
A contract specifying a fixed 3-month notice would override this — contractual notice, when longer, usually takes precedence.
Statutory versus contractual notice
Notice periods give both sides time to prepare for an employment ending — the employer to find cover, the employee to find new work. Two layers usually apply: a statutory minimum set by law (a common pattern is one week per year of service, often capped) and a contractual notice period written into your employment agreement. Where they differ, the longer one generally governs, and senior roles often carry substantially longer contractual notice (three or six months) than the statutory floor.
Because the rules are so jurisdiction- and contract-specific, this calculator offers a few models rather than assuming one, and lets you cap the result. Treat it as an estimate to sanity-check your situation. Real notice can be affected by garden leave, payment in lieu of notice, probation periods, and the reason for termination — so your contract and local employment law are the authorities, and for anything consequential, professional advice is worth getting.
Why use this calculator?
- Estimate notice from length of service under common models.
- See the exact end date of a notice period.
- Compare statutory-style and fixed contractual notice.
Frequently asked questions
How long is my notice period?
It depends on your contract and local law. A common statutory minimum is one week per complete year of service (often capped), but contracts frequently specify longer fixed periods. The longer of the two usually applies — check your contract.
What's the difference between statutory and contractual notice?
Statutory notice is the legal minimum set by law; contractual notice is what your employment agreement specifies, and is often longer, especially for senior roles. Where they differ, the longer period generally governs.
Can my employer pay me instead of working my notice?
In many jurisdictions yes — 'payment in lieu of notice' lets an employer end employment immediately while paying for the notice period, if the contract allows it. Rules vary, so check your contract and local law.