Biweekly vs bimonthly: what's the difference?
"Bi-" is confusing because dictionaries allow it to mean both "every two" and "twice per." Payroll uses precise terms, so here's what each one really means.
The terms
| Term | Meaning | Checks / year |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Every week | 52 |
| Biweekly | Every two weeks | 26 |
| Semimonthly | Twice a month | 24 |
| Bimonthly (strict) | Every two months | 6 |
| Monthly | Once a month | 12 |
Almost no US employer pays every two months, so if a job listing says "bimonthly," it almost always means twice a month.
How to tell what you're actually paid
Look at your last two pay dates. 14 days apart on the same weekday: biweekly. Fixed dates like the 15th and 30th: semimonthly. Full steps in how to tell if you're paid biweekly or semimonthly.
Why it matters
If you budget assuming two checks a month and you're actually biweekly, you'll be pleasantly surprised twice a year. If you assume biweekly 3-paycheck months and you're actually semimonthly, those months never come. Check with the finder.
Other "bi" and "semi" words in money
| Term | Usually means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Biweekly mortgage payment | Half a payment every two weeks | 26 half-payments a year |
| Semiannual premium | Twice a year | Car insurance every 6 months |
| Biannual | Twice a year (sometimes every two years) | Ambiguous, so confirm |
| Biennial | Every two years | Some vehicle registrations |
| Quarterly | Every three months | Estimated taxes, some utilities |
When in doubt, ask for the number of payments per year. It removes all ambiguity: 26 is biweekly, 24 is semimonthly, 12 is monthly.
Job offers and contracts
If an offer letter says "paid bimonthly," reply and ask: "Is that twice a month on fixed dates, or every two weeks?" The answer changes your check size by about 8% and determines whether you'll ever get a 3-paycheck month, so it's worth one email before you build a budget around it.
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Frequently asked questions
Does bimonthly mean twice a month?
In everyday use, often yes. Strictly it means every two months. Payroll calls twice a month "semimonthly."
How many paychecks is bimonthly?
If it means twice a month, 24. If it truly means every two months, 6.
Is biweekly every two weeks or twice a week?
For pay, biweekly always means every two weeks.