How many pay periods are in a year?
First, let’s look at how many pay periods are in a year. Of course, the answer to that question depends on the type of payroll employees are on. The total number of pay periods can range from 12 to 52.
Here is a breakdown for pay periods based on payroll frequency for 2025:
- Weekly: 52
- Biweekly: 26
- Semi-Monthly: 24
- Monthly: 12
In some years, a biweekly payroll frequency will result in 27 paychecks. However, in 2025, the number of biweekly paychecks will be 26.
2025 payroll calendar
Here is each payroll calendar for 2025 broken down by payroll frequency.
2025 weekly payroll calendar
For those on a weekly payroll calendar, there will be 52 pay periods in 2025.
| Week | Pay Date |
| Week 1 | January 7 |
| Week 2 | January 14 |
| Week 3 | January 21 |
| Week 4 | January 28 |
| Week 5 | February 4 |
| Week 6 | February 11 |
| Week 7 | February 18 |
| Week 8 | February 25 |
| Week 9 | March 4 |
| Week 10 | March 11 |
| Week 11 | March 18 |
| Week 12 | March 25 |
| Week 13 | April 1 |
| Week 14 | April 8 |
| Week 15 | April 15 |
| Week 16 | April 22 |
| Week 17 | April 29 |
| Week 18 | May 6 |
| Week 19 | May 13 |
| Week 20 | May 20 |
| Week 21 | May 27 |
| Week 22 | June 3 |
| Week 23 | June 10 |
| Week 24 | June 17 |
| Week 25 | June 24 |
| Week 26 | July 1 |
| Week 27 | July 8 |
| Week 28 | July 15 |
| Week 29 | July 22 |
| Week 30 | July 29 |
| Week 31 | August 5 |
| Week 32 | August 12 |
| Week 33 | August 19 |
| Week 34 | August 26 |
| Week 35 | September 2 |
| Week 36 | September 9 |
| Week 37 | September 16 |
| Week 38 | September 23 |
| Week 39 | September 30 |
| Week 40 | October 7 |
| Week 41 | October 14 |
| Week 42 | October 21 |
| Week 43 | October 28 |
| Week 44 | November 4 |
| Week 45 | November 10** (one day early due to Veteran’s Day) |
| Week 46 | November 18 |
| Week 47 | November 23** (two days early due to Thanksgiving weekend) |
| Week 48 | December 2 |
| Week 49 | December 9 |
| Week 50 | December 16 |
| Week 51 | December 23 |
| Week 52 | December 30 |
2025 biweekly payroll calendar
Those on a biweekly payroll calendar can expect 26 pay periods in 2025.
Your biweekly payroll calendar may differ slightly depending on whether the first paycheck is on Friday, January 7 or January 14. We have both options listed out for you below.
First biweekly paycheck: Friday, January 7
| Week | Pay Date |
| Paycheck 1 | January 7 |
| Paycheck 2 | January 21 |
| Paycheck 3 | February 4 |
| Paycheck 4 | February 18 |
| Paycheck 5 | March 4 |
| Paycheck 6 | March 18 |
| Paycheck 7 | April 1 |
| Paycheck 8 | April 15 |
| Paycheck 9 | April 29 |
| Paycheck 10 | May 13 |
| Paycheck 11 | May 27 |
| Paycheck 12 | June 10 |
| Paycheck 13 | June 24 |
| Paycheck 14 | July 8 |
| Paycheck 15 | July 22 |
| Paycheck 16 | August 5 |
| Paycheck 17 | August 19 |
| Paycheck 18 | September 2 |
| Paycheck 19 | September 16 |
| Paycheck 20 | September 30 |
| Paycheck 21 | October 14 |
| Paycheck 22 | October 28 |
| Paycheck 23 | November 10** (one day early due to Veteran’s Day) |
| Paycheck 24 | November 23** (two days early due to Thanksgiving weekend) |
| Paycheck 25 | December 9 |
| Paycheck 26 | December 23 |
First biweekly paycheck: Friday, January 14
| Week | Pay Date |
| Paycheck 1 | January 14 |
| Paycheck 2 | January 28 |
| Paycheck 3 | February 11 |
| Paycheck 4 | February 25 |
| Paycheck 5 | March 11 |
| Paycheck 6 | March 25 |
| Paycheck 7 | April 8 |
| Paycheck 8 | April 22 |
| Paycheck 9 | May 6 |
| Paycheck 10 | May 20 |
| Paycheck 11 | June 3 |
| Paycheck 12 | June 17 |
| Paycheck 13 | July 1 |
| Paycheck 14 | July 15 |
| Paycheck 15 | July 29 |
| Paycheck 16 | August 12 |
| Paycheck 17 | August 26 |
| Paycheck 18 | September 9 |
| Paycheck 19 | September 23 |
| Paycheck 20 | October 7 |
| Paycheck 21 | October 21 |
| Paycheck 22 | November 4 |
| Paycheck 23 | November 18 |
| Paycheck 24 | December 2 |
| Paycheck 25 | December 16 |
| Paycheck 26 | December 30 |
When you hear “biweekly,” you automatically assume that there will be two paychecks per month. However, for the biweekly payroll periods in 2025, there are two months that have three paychecks. For those starting with the first paycheck on January 7, the three-paycheck months are April and September. The three-paycheck months for those starting with the first paycheck on January 14 are July and December.
2025 semi-monthly payroll calendar
A semi-monthly payroll calendar pays employees twice a month, typically on the 15th and the last day of the month. It’s one of the most popular types of payroll schedules.
For those on a weekly payroll calendar, there will be 24 pay periods in 2025.
| Week | Pay Date |
| Paycheck 1 | January 14 |
| Paycheck 2 | January 28 |
| Paycheck 3 | February 15 |
| Paycheck 4 | February 28 |
| Paycheck 5 | March 15 |
| Paycheck 6 | March 31 |
| Paycheck 7 | April 15 |
| Paycheck 8 | April 29 |
| Paycheck 9 | May 13 |
| Paycheck 10 | May 31 |
| Paycheck 11 | June 15 |
| Paycheck 12 | June 30 |
| Paycheck 13 | July 15 |
| Paycheck 14 | July 31 |
| Paycheck 15 | August 15 |
| Paycheck 16 | August 31 |
| Paycheck 17 | September 15 |
| Paycheck 18 | September 30 |
| Paycheck 19 | October 14 |
| Paycheck 20 | October 31 |
| Paycheck 21 | November 15 |
| Paycheck 22 | November 30 |
| Paycheck 23 | December 15 |
| Paycheck 24 | December 30 |
2025 monthly payroll calendar
Monthly payrolls can be distributed on the last day of the month or the first day of the following month. In this example, the last day of the month is used.
For those on a monthly payroll calendar, there are 12 pay periods in 2025.
| Week | Pay Date |
| Paycheck 1 | January 31 |
| Paycheck 2 | February 28 |
| Paycheck 3 | March 31 |
| Paycheck 4 | April 29 |
| Paycheck 5 | May 31 |
| Paycheck 6 | June 30 |
| Paycheck 7 | July 29 |
| Paycheck 8 | August 31 |
| Paycheck 9 | September 30 |
| Paycheck 10 | October 31 |
| Paycheck 11 | November 30 |
| Paycheck 12 | December 30 |
These are the common payroll calendars most employees and employers use in 2025.
