Workforce planning
FTE calculator
Full-time equivalent (FTE) — also called a full-time equivalent calculator in workforce planning — shows how much work your team can deliver in full-time units, not just how many people you employ. Add weekly hours by employee (or one quick total) to get total FTE, headcount, and the standard formula FTE = hours worked ÷ full-time hours. US planning default: 40 hrs/week (2,080 hrs/year).
Quick answer: what is FTE?
At a glance
- 1.0 FTE = one full-time role (often 40 hrs/week ≈ 2,080 hrs/year)
- Weekly: FTE = weekly hours ÷ full-time weekly hours
- Example: 40 + 30 + 20 hrs at a 40-hr basis = 2.25 FTE with 3 employees
- Headcount ≠ FTE: three part-time workers can be three people but less than 3.0 FTE
How to use this FTE calculator
Set your full-time week
Choose 40, 37.5, or 35 hours per week — whatever defines 1.0 FTE in your organization.
Enter hours by employee
Add rows with weekly hours (optional names). Use Quick total hours if you already summed everyone’s hours.
Read FTE and headcount
Total FTE, employee count, and sum of weekly hours — plus per-person FTE in team mode.
Export or optional annual FTE
Download CSV or PDF for your worksheet. In advanced options, turn on annual FTE to set weeks per year (for example 26 for seasonal staff).
FTE calculator formula with example
Weekly FTE = weekly hours ÷ full-time weekly hours
Total FTE = sum of each employee’s FTE (rows with 0 hours are ignored)
Example: A dental office with three assistants at 40 hrs, two hygienists at 24 hrs, and one coordinator at 40 hrs → 160 + 48 = 208 total hrs ÷ 40 = 5.2 FTE across 6 employees.
Track hours: time card calculator · Employer cost (not FTE): employee cost calculator · Turnover: attrition rate calculator.
Annual FTE and 2,080 hours
For annual FTE, add hours worked in the year and divide by full-time annual hours. A common US planning shortcut is 40 × 52 = 2,080 hours per 1.0 FTE (vacation and holidays are not subtracted in this simplified view, but it stays comparable across teams).
For monthly planning, some teams use about 173.33 hours per month (2,080 ÷ 12) as the full-time baseline — use the same period for total hours and your full-time standard.
Annual FTE = total annual hours ÷ 2,080 (when 40 hrs/week is your full-time standard).
Planning FTE vs ACA employer size
This tool uses the standard workforce planning formula (hours ÷ full-time hours). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and SHOP small-business tools use different rules — for example treating employees at 30+ hours/week as full-time and applying a monthly part-time hours ÷ 120 method for ALE counts. Do not use planning FTE alone for ACA filings or benefit eligibility.
Official references: IRS — determining FTEs · Healthcare.gov SHOP FTE calculator.
Weekly hours to FTE (40-hour full-time week)
When 40 hours/week is 1.0 FTE, use FTE = weekly hours ÷ 40:
| Hours per week | FTE |
|---|---|
| 40 | 1.00 |
| 37.5 | 0.94 |
| 32 (0.8 FTE) | 0.80 |
| 30 | 0.75 |
| 20 | 0.50 |
| 10 | 0.25 |
Change the full-time basis in the calculator if your organization uses 37.5 or 35 hours for 1.0 FTE.
FTE to hours calculator (reverse conversion)
To turn FTE back into hours, multiply FTE by your full-time weekly hours: hours per week = FTE × full-time weekly hours. Example at a 40-hour full-time week: 0.5 FTE = 20 hrs/week, 0.7 FTE = 28 hrs/week, 0.8 FTE = 32 hrs/week.
In the calculator above, enter those hours per person (or use Quick total hours if you already know the sum) to confirm team FTE matches your target.
What FTE does not tell you
FTE measures time capacity, not performance, revenue per person, or payroll cost. Two teams with the same FTE can have very different overtime, coverage gaps, or skill mix.
Use FTE with time tracking and scheduling data to see how hours are actually used. For dollars, use the employee cost calculator — not FTE math.
FTE for shift and hourly teams
Restaurants, retail, and care sites often mix full-time and part-time schedules. FTE turns that mix into one capacity number for scheduling and budgeting. When you need fair shifts and tracked hours, employee scheduling and time tracking keep planned FTE aligned with actual hours worked.
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Frequently asked questions about FTE calculator
How do you calculate FTE?
FTE = total hours worked ÷ full-time hours for the same period. Weekly: divide each employee’s weekly hours by your full-time weekly hours (often 40), then add the results. Rows with 0 hours are ignored.
How many hours is 1.0 FTE?
It depends on your full-time definition. Many US employers use 40 hrs/week = 2,080 hrs/year. If full-time is 37.5 hrs/week, 1.0 FTE = 37.5 weekly hours.
What is 0.8 FTE in hours?
At a 40-hour full-time week, 0.8 FTE = 32 hours per week (40 × 0.8). At 37.5 hours full-time, 0.8 FTE = 30 hours per week.
What is the FTE for 37.5 hours?
If 37.5 hours is your full-time week, that person is 1.0 FTE. If full-time is 40 hours, 37.5 ÷ 40 = 0.94 FTE.
How do you calculate FTE for part-time employees?
Divide each part-time employee’s weekly hours by your full-time weekly hours. Example: 20 ÷ 40 = 0.5 FTE. Add all employees for total team FTE.
What is the difference between FTE and headcount?
Headcount counts people. FTE converts hours into full-time equivalents. Six employees can be 5.2 FTE if several work reduced hours.
Is planning FTE the same as ACA FTE?
No. ACA tests for applicable large employers use specific counting methods (including 30+ hour full-time employees and monthly part-time calculations). Use this calculator for workforce planning; confirm ACA rules separately.
How is FTE different from employee cost or FTE salary?
FTE measures hours capacity, not pay. FTE salary or “salary per FTE” blends headcount planning with compensation — use the employee cost calculator or payroll tools for dollar amounts, not this hours-based FTE formula.
Is 0.5 FTE considered part-time?
Often yes. At a 40-hour full-time week, 0.5 FTE = 20 hours per week, which is typically part-time. Your handbook or state rules may define part-time differently — FTE is a math conversion, not a legal classification.
What is 0.7 FTE in hours?
At a 40-hour full-time week, 0.7 FTE = 28 hours per week (40 × 0.7). At 37.5 hours full-time, 0.7 FTE = 26.25 hours per week.
How do I convert FTE to hours per week?
Weekly hours = FTE × full-time weekly hours. Example: 1.25 FTE at 40 hrs/week = 50 hours. Enter the result in team mode or use Quick total hours to check your team total.
Can I use this FTE calculator like Excel?
Yes — enter your hours, read FTE instantly, and export CSV or PDF for your worksheet or HR file. No signup required to calculate.
What does 2,080 hours mean for FTE?
2,080 hours is the simplified annual full-time baseline (40 hrs × 52 weeks). Annual FTE = total annual hours ÷ 2,080 when 40 hrs/week is your standard.