Custody Time Percentage Calculator
Calculate the percentage of time each parent has custody based on your parenting schedule.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Custody time percentages are critical for child support calculations in many states. The percentage is based on overnights, as courts count the number of nights each child spends with each parent over the course of a year.
The Formula
Parent % = (Weekday Overnights x 52 + Weekend Overnights x 26 + Holidays + Summer Days) / 365
Variables
- Weekday Overnights — Regular weeknight overnights per week
- Weekend Overnights — Weekend nights per 2-week cycle
- Holiday Days — Additional holiday and vacation overnights
- Summer Weeks — Extra summer custody weeks beyond regular schedule
Example
Parent 1 has 2 weekday overnights/week, 2 weekend nights/2 weeks, 14 holiday days, 2 summer weeks: (104 + 52 + 14 + 14) = 184 days = 50.4%.
Tips
- Most child support guidelines adjust payments at certain custody thresholds (e.g., 40%).
- Equal custody (50/50) does not necessarily mean zero child support.
- Track actual overnights -- they may differ from the court order.
- Virtual visitation (video calls) typically does not count as custody time.
- Holiday schedules usually alternate by year (even/odd years).