Full-time equivalent (FTE) converts a team's hours into a number of full-time people. It's used for budgets, staffing ratios, grant reports and some legal thresholds.
How FTE works
FTE = total hours worked a week ÷ hours in a full-time week| Country | Usual full-time week |
|---|---|
| US | 40 hours; 30 hours counts as full-time for the Affordable Care Act |
| Australia | 38 hours under the National Employment Standards |
| India | Up to 48 hours under the OSH Code; many offices use 40–45 |
Example: A team of five
Two on 40 hours, two on 20 and one on 10: 130 hours a week.
130 ÷ 40 = 3.25 FTE.
To budget for those people, use the employee cost calculator.
How to use this calculator
- Set your full-time week.
- Enter each person's usual hours a week, or add full-timers and part-timers.
- Read off the FTE and totals.
FAQs
How many hours is 1 FTE?
Your full-time week: usually 40 in the US, 38 in Australia under the National Employment Standards, and up to 48 in India.
How is FTE counted for the Affordable Care Act?
For the ACA, employees working 30 or more hours a week count as full-time, and part-timers' hours for a month are added up and divided by 120.
Is FTE the same as headcount?
No. Headcount counts people; FTE counts hours. Five part-timers on 8 hours a week are 5 heads but 1 FTE.
Sources
- IRS: Identifying full-time employees (ACA)
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Full-time employees
- PIB: Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (in force 21 Nov 2025)
Results are estimates and aren't financial advice. For decisions about your own money, check with a qualified adviser. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.