One hire
- Time to hire
- 35 days
- Time to fill
- 49 days
- Time to start
- 28 days
24 working days in UAE
34 working days
offer accepted → first day
Time to hire (days)35
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Time to Hire Calculator
How many days does it take you to hire — and to fill a role from the day it opens?
Enter the dates for one hire — job opened, candidate applied, offer accepted, first day — or totals for many hires. You get time to hire, time to fill and time to start, in calendar and working days.
How time to hire is calculated
Time to hire = days from the candidate's application (or the day you sourced them) to the day they accept the offer. Time to fill = days from the job opening to offer acceptance. Time to start = days from acceptance to the first day at work. For many hires, add up the days and divide by the number of hires. Working days skip the selected country's weekend and the 2026 public holidays in our labour library.
- Time to hire
- Application → offer accepted. Measures your process speed.
- Time to fill
- Job opened → offer accepted. Measures how long the seat stays empty.
- Time to start
- Offer accepted → first day. Mostly notice period and visa time.
Time to hire examples
Three illustrative hires in 2026, calculated with the same rules the calculator uses.
| Hire | Applied → accepted | Time to hire | Working days | Time to fill | Time to start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales executive, Dubai | 17 Aug 2026 → 21 Sept 2026 | 35 days | 24 working days | 49 days | 28 days |
| Accountant, Riyadh | 12 Apr 2026 → 10 May 2026 | 28 days | 20 working days | 35 days | 35 days |
| Nurse, Doha | 1 Feb 2026 → 15 Mar 2026 | 42 days | 29 working days | 63 days | 49 days |
Working days skip the country's weekend and the 2026 public holidays (Islamic dates expected).
Before you compare numbers
- Pick one start point (application or sourcing date) and stick to it, or your averages won't be comparable.
- Public holidays are only known for 2026 so far; earlier or later dates count weekends only.
- A fast time to hire is only good if quality of hire holds up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between time to hire and time to fill?
Time to hire counts the days from when a candidate applies (or is sourced) to when they accept your offer — it measures how fast your process moves a person through. Time to fill counts from the day the job is opened or the requisition approved to offer acceptance — it measures how long the business waits for the seat to be filled.
How do I calculate average time to hire?
Work out the days for each hire, add them up and divide by the number of hires. Switch the calculator to 'Totals for many hires', enter the number of hires and the total days, and it gives you the average time to hire and time to fill.
Should I count calendar days or working days?
Most companies report calendar days because they are simple and comparable. Working days are useful when holidays fall inside the process — for example Eid in the Gulf. The calculator shows both, skipping the chosen country's weekend (Saturday–Sunday in the UAE, Friday–Saturday elsewhere in the GCC) and the 2026 public holidays we track.
Why is time to start so long for GCC hires?
Notice periods and visa processing. Candidates often have to serve a one- to three-month notice period, and overseas hires need a work permit and residence visa before they can start. Track time to start separately so it doesn't hide how fast your recruiters actually move.
Are Islamic holidays counted exactly?
Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed by moon sighting, so we use the expected dates. The real dates can move by a day or two, which can change the working-day count slightly.
Every week this role stays open costs you. Post it free today.
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