Knowing how to calculate notice period is the first step to finding your exact last working day. Take your resignation date, add one day to get your start date, then count forward by the number of days, weeks, or months in your contract. Most notice periods use calendar days, so weekends count. If that date falls on a weekend or public holiday, check your contract for what applies. Use the calculator below to get the exact date. If you are unsure how to calculate notice period from your contract, the steps below cover every scenario including calendar days, working days, and country-specific rules.
Use the Notice Period Calculator
What Is a Notice Period?
A notice period is the time between the day you resign or receive a termination notice and your last working day. Most employment contracts set this period in weeks or months, and the length usually increases with seniority and length of service. Your contract sets the actual period you serve, but the law in your country sets a minimum floor that your employer cannot go below. If your contract states a shorter period than the legal minimum, the statutory minimum applies instead.
If your contract states a longer period, the contract applies. You always get whichever period is longer. Check your employment contract first if you need to know how to calculate notice period correctly for your situation. If it does not specify a notice period, the statutory minimum for your country and length of service applies as the legal floor.
How to Calculate Notice Period
Follow these four steps to find your last working day.
- Check your employment contract for the notice length. It will show days, weeks, or months.
- Confirm whether it is calendar days or working days. Most contracts use calendar days. Working days are only used when the contract says so explicitly.
- Find your start date. In most countries, the notice period starts the day after you resign, not the day you hand in your letter.
- Count forward from the start date by the full notice length. That date is your last working day.
Example: You resign on Monday 1 June 2026. Your contract requires four weeks notice. Your notice starts on Tuesday 2 June. Four weeks later is Monday 29 June 2026. That is your last working day.
Use the notice period calculator to get the exact date. It applies your country’s public holidays automatically so you do not need to calculate notice period manually.
These four steps work for any contract, anywhere you need to know how to calculate notice period.
Does Your Notice Period Include Weekends?
Yes. In most cases, your notice period includes weekends.
Most employment contracts state notice in calendar days, weeks, or months rather than working days. Calendar days include Saturday and Sunday, so a 30-day notice period runs for 30 consecutive days, not 30 working days spread across six weeks. This distinction causes one of the most common mistakes employees make when they do not know how to calculate notice period correctly.
If your contract simply says “30 days” without specifying calendar or working days, treat it as calendar days. Contracts only use working days when they state it explicitly, often phrased as “30 working days” or “20 business days.” If your contract is silent on this point, default to calendar days and confirm with your HR department before you submit your resignation.
When Does a Notice Period Start?
In most countries, the notice period starts the day after you submit your resignation.
If you resign on a Monday, your notice starts on Tuesday. South African law makes this explicit: the Basic Conditions of Employment Act states that notice begins the day after notice is given. The UK and Australia follow the same convention. UK guidance from Citizens Advice and GOV.UK confirms notice starts the day after resignation, and Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman confirms the same rule under the Fair Work Act 2009.
Some companies specify in the contract that notice starts on the same day. Check your contract first. Getting this date wrong is the most common error when people do not know how to calculate notice period correctly.
Example: You resign on Friday 5 June 2026 with two weeks notice. Your notice starts Saturday 6 June. Your last working day is Friday 19 June 2026.
What Are the Statutory Notice Periods by Country?
Statutory notice periods set the legal floor for how much notice an employer or employee must give, and they vary by country and length of service. The UK requires one week of notice for employees with one month to two years of service, then one additional week per year of service up to a 12-week maximum, under the Employment Rights Act 1996. South Africa requires one to four weeks based on tenure under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Australia requires one to four weeks under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act 2009, with an extra week for employees over 45 with two or more years of service. The US has no statutory minimum at all. Your contract can extend any of these minimums but cannot reduce them. This variation is exactly why you need to know how to calculate notice period for your own country before you submit your resignation.
| Country | Under 6 months | 6 to 12 months | 1 year or more | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1 Week | 1 Week | 1 week per year | 12 weeks |
| South Africa | 1 Week | 2 Weeks | 4 weeks | Contract |
| Australia | 1 Week | 1 Week | Up to 4 weeks | 4 weeks (5 weeks if over 45 with 2+ years service) |
| United States | None | None | None | Employment is at-will |
Two weeks is a professional norm in the US, not a legal requirement.
Use these figures as your floor when you need to know how to calculate notice period in each country.
Notice Period Calculation Examples
One month and four weeks is a common source of mistakes. They are not the same.
| Scenario | Resignation date | Notice length | Notice starts | Last working day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month notice | 1 June 2026 | 1 calendar month | 2 June 2026 | 2 July 2026 |
| 4 weeks notice | 1 June 2026 | 28 calendar days | 2 June 2026 | 29 June 2026 |
| 2 weeks notice | 15 June 2026 | 14 calendar days | 16 June 2026 | 29 June 2026 |
One month and four weeks is a common source of mistakes when learning how to calculate notice period.
One month adds a full calendar month from the start date. Four weeks adds exactly 28 days. If you resign on 1 June with one month notice, your last day is 2 July. If your contract says four weeks, your last day is 29 June. Three days earlier.
Read your contract carefully. “One month” and “four weeks” are not interchangeable.
Use the free notice period calculator to find your exact last working day. Enter your resignation date, your notice length, and your country. The calculator applies your country’s public holidays and returns the exact date.
Go to the Notice Period Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do I calculate my notice period? | Check your contract for the notice length. Add one day to your resignation date to get the start date. Count forward by the full notice length in calendar days, weeks, or months. That date is your last working day. |
| Does notice period include weekends? | Yes. Most notice periods use calendar days, which include weekends. A 14-day notice period runs for 14 consecutive days including Saturday and Sunday, unless your contract specifically states working days. |
| When does a notice period start? | In most countries, the notice period starts the day after you resign. If you resign on Monday, your notice starts on Tuesday. Some employers specify the same day in the contract, so check yours. |
| What is the difference between 1 month and 4 weeks notice? | They are not the same. One month adds a calendar month from the start date. Four weeks adds exactly 28 days. If you resign on 1 June with one month notice your last day is 2 July. With four weeks notice your last day is 29 June. |
| What happens if my last day falls on a public holiday? | This depends on your contract and country. In Australia, public holidays during a notice period do not extend it under the Fair Work Act. In other countries the contract wording governs. Use the notice period calculator and select your country to get the accurate date. |
| Can my employer make me leave before my notice period ends? | Yes. Your employer can ask you to leave early and pay you for the remaining days instead. This is called payment in lieu of notice, or PILON. Whether PILON applies depends on your contract and country law. |
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Last updated: July 2026.