FTE Calculator
Convert the total hours of full-time and part-time staff into the equivalent number of full-time employees.
Input Data
Results
At a glance:Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) converts a mixed workforce into 'how many full-time employees it equals': FTE = total employee hours ÷ one full-timer's standard hours. Standard hours = weekly × weeks per year (40 × 52 = 2,080/year). Example: 15,600 total hours ÷ 2,080 = 7.5 FTE. FTE measures total labour input on one scale (two half-day part-timers = 1 FTE), for budgeting, revenue-per-head, project staffing and grant eligibility. FTE is hours, not headcount (7.5 FTE may be 10+ people); keep the same time basis for numerator and denominator.
Formula
FTE = total employee hours ÷ full-time standard hours.
Full-time hours = weekly hours × weeks per year.
$$\\text{FTE} = \\dfrac{\\text{Total Hours}}{\\text{Full-time Hours}}$$How to Use
- Total all employees' hours in the period.
- Enter one full-timer's standard hours.
- View the FTE.
At standard 2,080 hours/year, FTE by total hours
| Total hours | Standard hours | FTE | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,080 | 2,080 | 1.0 | Exactly 1 full-timer |
| 5,200 | 2,080 | 2.5 | 2 full + 1 half |
| 10,400 | 2,080 | 5.0 | 5 full-timers |
| 15,600 | 2,080 | 7.5 | 7.5 full-timers |
| 26,000 | 2,080 | 12.5 | 12.5 full-timers |
FTE = total ÷ 2,080. Each +2,080 hours adds 1 FTE. FTE can be decimal — 7.5 reflects hours, real headcount is often more.
Case Studies
Case 1: Mixed team to FTE
Shop: 3 full-timers (40h/wk) + 4 part-timers (20h/wk), 52 weeks. Full hours = 3×40×52 = 6,240; part = 4×20×52 = 4,160; total = 10,400. At 2,080 standard, FTE = 10,400 ÷ 2,080 = 5.0.
So 7 people's input equals 5 full-timers — FTE shows real hours, not headcount 7.
Use FTE 5.0 (not 7) for cost and revenue-per-head and reporting true scale; pair with the revenue-per-employee calculator.
Case 2: Project staffing — same time basis
A 6-month project needs 4,160 hours. Denominator must also be 6 months: 40h × 26wk = 1,040h. FTE = 4,160 ÷ 1,040 = 4.0 — needs 4 full-timers for the half year.
Common mistake: divide 6-month hours by the annual 2,080 → FTE 2.0, understaffing by half, because numerator is 6 months but denominator a year.
The key FTE step is matching the numerator and denominator to the same period, or results differ by 2×.
FAQ
Is FTE the same as headcount?
No. FTE measures total hours input, not people. 7.5 FTE may be 10+ part/full-timers; two half-day part-timers = 1 FTE. Cost and productivity analysis use FTE; HR also tracks actual headcount.
How to set the full-time standard hours?
By company/industry practice, usually weekly hours × weeks per year. For annual FTE: 40h × 52wk = 2,080h; if holidays deducted (48wk) = 1,920h. Keep numerator and denominator on the same basis.
What is FTE used for?
Budgeting, revenue-per-head, project staffing, grants/licences with headcount conditions, and cross-department/period comparison of input — it standardises different work arrangements into one measure of real labour input.
What full-time standard hours in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance sets no single statutory 'standard hours' across industries, so FTE's standard is by company policy and industry practice. Common: 40–48 weekly (5 days × 8h = 40; 5.5 days = 44). For productive hours you may deduct holidays (46–48wk), lowering standard hours below 2,080. Consistency matters most — use one standard across the analysis. For government grants/licences, follow the body's defined FTE method.
What does a decimal FTE (0.5, 1.5) mean?
FTE is a continuous 'hours equivalent', so decimals are normal and finer than headcount. 0.5 FTE = half a full-timer (one 20h/week part-timer, or two 10h temps); 1.5 FTE = one and a half (one full + one half, or three third-timers). Cautions: (1) FTE is not 'how many to hire' — you cannot employ '0.5 person'; recruitment must consider split roles and coordination cost; (2) decimals are best for measurement/budget (revenue ÷ FTE, cost allocation); (3) round up only when ensuring capacity (1.5 FTE workload may need 2 people in practice). Decimal FTE is great for analysis, but converting to hires needs real-world judgement.
Related Tools
References
Content review: Calculatorism Finance Team. Results are for reference only; please refer to the relevant authorities for the official figures.