Worked example: 1 FTE to weekly, monthly and annual hours
1 × 40 = 40 hours a week. Across 52 weeks, 40 × 52 = 2,080 hours; divide by 12 for 173.33 hours in an average month.
If this is a team workload, 40 hours can be distributed across people with different contracts. FTE measures hours relative to a baseline; it does not tell you the actual headcount.
Assumptions and limits
- 35, 37.5 and 40h are selectable planning baselines, not a legal definition of full-time.
- Annual hours use exactly 52 weeks; monthly hours use 52 ÷ 12 weeks. Actual months, leap years, holidays and leave are not deducted.
- FTE can describe paid contracted hours or productive capacity: keep the definition consistent when comparing staff.
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Related guides: Workforce and FTE guides · FTE conversion table