Custody Time Calculator

Calculate parenting time percentages for custody schedules.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: U.S. Courts (uscourts.gov)

Parent A

14.25% (52.00 nights)

Parent B

85.75% (313.00 nights)

Custody Breakdown

Parent A Overnights52 nights
Parent B Overnights313 nights
Parent A Percentage14.25%

Use the Custody Time Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Parenting time is usually measured in overnights, and the share each parent holds often drives both child support figures and the language of a custody agreement. For separated or divorced parents trying to make sense of a schedule in 2026, putting a clear percentage on that split turns a tangle of calendar dates into something concrete you can discuss or bring to a court.

Behind the percentage is a simple count. The tool adds up how many overnights each parent has with the child or children across the period you define, typically a full year, then divides each parent's total by the number of overnights available in that span. For a standard year that denominator is 365 days in 2026, and the quotient becomes the percentage you see.

Where the numbers go wrong is almost always the exceptions. Holidays, school breaks, and one-off events can swing the final split well away from what the weekly rotation alone suggests, so fold every one of them into your count rather than mapping out only the regular weeks. Review your entries once more before you trust the totals.

Example: 50/50 Custody Schedule (Alternating Weeks)

  1. 1 Input: Parent A has the child for 26 weeks (182 overnights), Parent B has the child for 26 weeks (183 overnights) in 2026 (leap year).
  2. 2 Calculation: Parent A percentage = (182 / 366) * 100 = 49.73%. Parent B percentage = (183 / 366) * 100 = 50.27%.
  3. 3 Result: Parent A has 49.73% of parenting time, Parent B has 50.27% of parenting time.
  4. 4 Context: This slight difference is due to the odd number of days in a year (366 in 2026). This precise breakdown is valuable for child support calculations and ensuring compliance with court orders.

Source: U.S. Courts (uscourts.gov) · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 50/50 custody look like?
Common 50/50 schedules include alternating weeks, 2-2-3 rotation (two days with each parent then three with one, alternating), or 3-4-4-3 schedules. The best arrangement depends on the children's ages, school logistics, and parents' work schedules.
How is parenting time percentage calculated?
Count the number of overnights each parent has per year and divide by 365. For example, 182 overnights equals approximately 49.9% parenting time. This percentage often determines child support calculations in most states.
Does custody percentage affect child support?
Yes. In most states, the more time a parent spends with the child, the lower their child support obligation because they are directly providing for the child during that time. The threshold varies by state, typically around 30-40% parenting time.

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