Marketivate guide
Biweekly vs. Semimonthly Pay
Biweekly and semimonthly are easy to confuse. One creates 26 paychecks in a typical year. The other creates exactly 24.
Formula checked against Marketivate's published test cases. Last checked 27 July 2026. Read our methodology or report a correction.
Illustrative 2026 paycheck calendar
| Month | Biweekly Fridays | Semimonthly dates |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2, 16, 30 (3) | 15, 31 (2) |
| February | 13, 27 (2) | 15, 28 (2) |
| March | 13, 27 (2) | 15, 31 (2) |
| April | 10, 24 (2) | 15, 30 (2) |
| May | 8, 22 (2) | 15, 31 (2) |
| June | 5, 19 (2) | 15, 30 (2) |
| July | 3, 17, 31 (3) | 15, 31 (2) |
| August | 14, 28 (2) | 15, 31 (2) |
| September | 11, 25 (2) | 15, 30 (2) |
| October | 9, 23 (2) | 15, 31 (2) |
| November | 6, 20 (2) | 15, 30 (2) |
| December | 4, 18 (2) | 15, 31 (2) |
Example only: biweekly Fridays begin 2 January 2026; semimonthly dates are the 15th and final calendar day. Employers may shift dates for weekends and holidays.
Biweekly follows weeks
A biweekly schedule pays every 14 days. Pay dates move through the month, and a typical 52-week year produces 26 checks.
Semimonthly follows the calendar
A semimonthly schedule pays twice each month, often around the middle and the end. Each check is larger because the annual total is split 24 ways.
Budget from the schedule you receive
The annual total can match while cash arrives differently. Match recurring bills to normal checks and treat any third biweekly check as planned annual cash flow, not a surprise bonus.