Work out payroll cycle dates instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Pay frequency determines both the period boundaries and the annual payment count, which is what converts a periodic rate into an annual salary. Weekly pay gives 52.18 payments a year, fortnightly 26.09 and four-weekly 13.04 - so a four-weekly figure must be multiplied by thirteen, not twelve, to annualise correctly.
Period end
end = start + period days - 1
Payments per year
count = 365.25 / period days
Because 26 fortnights are 364 days, so the cycle drifts forward and occasionally a 27th payment lands inside the calendar year.
Twice a month, usually mid-month and month-end, giving exactly 24 payments - which is not the same as fortnightly's 26.