Payroll

Payroll calendar 2026

2026 contains 26 bi-weekly pay periods, 24 semi-monthly periods and 12 monthly periods. Plan paycheck dates around weekends and bank holidays to avoid late deposits.

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Pay period frequencies at a glance

Weekly: 52 paychecks. Bi-weekly: 26 paychecks (every other Friday is most common). Semi-monthly: 24 paychecks, typically on the 15th and last day. Monthly: 12 paychecks. Choose whichever cadence matches your cash flow and worker preference.

Holiday-adjusted pay dates in 2026

When a scheduled pay date lands on a weekend or US federal holiday, most employers move the deposit to the prior business day. Examples: New Year's Day (Thursday), Memorial Day (May 25), Independence Day (Saturday — observed Friday July 3), Labor Day (Sept 7), Thanksgiving (Nov 26), Christmas (Friday).

Three-paycheck months for bi-weekly payroll

Bi-weekly schedules produce three paydays in two months each year. Forecast these months in advance for benefit deductions and budgeting. Use the payroll-hours calculator to validate gross pay every cycle.

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Frequently asked

How many bi-weekly paychecks are in 2026?⌄

26 paychecks, the same as a typical year. Two months will contain three paydays depending on the cycle's anchor date.

What if payday falls on a holiday?⌄

Standard practice is to move the deposit to the previous business day so workers aren't paid late.

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