Calculate your gratuity instantly — formula (Basic+DA × 15 × Years ÷ 26), tax rules, eligibility and ₹20L limit | Calculator4U
Calculate your gratuity benefit amount.
This Gratuity Calculator is a free online tool for Indian employees and HR teams to instantly compute terminal lump-sum balances payable under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. Gratuity is a statutory benefit provided by employers to express gratitude and reward long-term institutional loyalty. Governed historically by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (and integrated within the Code on Social Security), this mandate applies to all public and private establishments employing 10 or more individuals. By entering your last drawn Basic Salary along with Dearness Allowance (DA) and completed years of service, this tool executes the legal rounding rules and instantly evaluates your structural tax liabilities for FY 2026-27.
Unlike the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), which accumulates monthly through parallel matching employee-employer deductions and permits periodic partial structural withdrawals, gratuity is funded entirely by the employer as a one-time terminal payout upon separation. It serves as a cornerstone of retirement planning in India. Under standard statutory rules, an employee must complete a minimum of 5 years of continuous service with the same employer to qualify for eligibility. However, under updated labor guidelines, fixed-term and contractual employees qualify for pro-rata gratuity payouts after completing just 1 year of service. Furthermore, the traditional 5-year tenure baseline is completely waived if separation is caused by premature death or permanent physical disability.
G = Total Estimated Gratuity Payable
S = Qualifying Last Drawn Salary, defined strictly as Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance (DA)
Y = Completed Years of Service (subject to statutory rounding mechanisms)
15 / 26 = Represents 15 days of wages per year, calculated using 26 official working days per month
Important Accounting Note: The formula above applies to organizations covered under the Gratuity Act (10+ employees). For small firms with fewer than 10 employees that are not strictly bound by the Act, the divisor shifts from 26 to 30 days, resulting in a slightly lower calculation: $G = \frac{15 \cdot S \cdot Y}{30}$.
The calculator evaluates fractions of your final year using standard legal rounding parameters:
Under the Income-tax Act, gratuity payouts are subject to targeted tax exemptions based on employment classification:
The table below outlines calculated gratuity payouts across sample salary scales (Basic + DA) under the standard 26-day divisor rule:
| Completed Service Tenure | ₹40,000 Monthly Salary | ₹50,000 Monthly Salary | ₹1,000,000 Monthly Salary | Tax Exemption Status (Private) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Years | ₹1,15,385 | ₹1,44,231 | ₹2,88,462 | Fully Tax-Exempt |
| 10 Years | ₹2,30,769 | ₹2,88,462 | ₹5,76,923 | Fully Tax-Exempt |
| 20 Years | ₹4,61,538 | ₹5,76,923 | ₹11,53,846 | Fully Tax-Exempt |
| 30 Years | ₹6,92,308 | ₹8,65,385 | ₹17,30,769 | Fully Tax-Exempt |
| 40 Years | ₹9,23,077 | ₹11,53,846 | ₹23,07,692 | ₹3,07,692 Subject to Tax Slabs |
To guarantee mathematical accuracy when planning your career transition details:
Align your statutory corporate retirement distributions with our suite of specialized online financial planning toolsets:
Sources, Compliance Rules & Financial Disclaimer: Gratuity calculations rely entirely on formulas set by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, and the structural rounding frameworks of the Code on Social Security. Tax exemption caps, limits, and eligibility definitions match the updated parameters issued for FY 2026-27. This tool provides estimate balances for informational planning purposes; final transactional terminal payouts should be verified with your employer's internal human resource compliance or payroll department.
Gratuity in India is calculated using the formula: (Last Drawn Basic Salary + DA) × 15 × Years of Service ÷ 26, as mandated by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. The divisor 26 represents working days per month excluding Sundays. For example, with ₹30,000 Basic+DA and 5 years of service: Gratuity = 30,000 × 15 × 5 ÷ 26 = ₹86,538.
The maximum tax-free gratuity limit for private sector employees is ₹20 lakh under the Payment of Gratuity Act. For Central Government employees, this limit is ₹25 lakh. Any gratuity above these limits is treated as ex-gratia and is taxable as per your income
Gratuity is fully tax-free for government employees. For private sector employees covered under the Gratuity Act, the least of the following is exempt: actual gratuity received, ₹20 lakh, or 15 days' salary × years of service. Only the amount above the exemption limit is taxed at your income slab rate.
The 15/26 formula applies to employees covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act (organisations with 10+ employees) — 26 represents working days excluding Sundays. The 15/30 formula applies to employees NOT covered under the Act, using 30 calendar days as the divisor, which gives a lower gratuity amount for the same salary and tenure.
Yes, in two cases: (1) if you die or become permanently disabled due to accident or illness, gratuity is paid regardless of tenure. (2) Under the new Labour Codes effective 2026, fixed-term and contract employees are eligible for gratuity after just 1 year of continuous service, a change from the traditional 5-year requirement.
Only Basic Salary + Dearness Allowance (DA) are included in the gratuity formula. HRA, bonuses, commissions, overtime pay, and other allowances are excluded. This is a common point of confusion — using the full CTC or gross salary will significantly overestimate the gratuity amount.
Gratuity is a statutory lump-sum payment made by an employer to an employee as a financial reward for long-term service. It is governed by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, and is payable on retirement, resignation after 5 years, permanent disability, or death. It is distinct from EPF — gratuity is paid entirely by the employer with no employee contribution.