Does the calculator include the start and end dates?

By default, the start date is excluded and the end date is included. So Monday to Friday of the same week = 4 business days. Some tools use inclusive counting; check which convention your contract or requirement specifies.

Which holidays are excluded?

The calculator includes common US federal holidays: New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. You can customize the holiday list for your location.

How do I add business days to a date?

To find a date N business days from a start date, the calculator steps forward one day at a time, counting only weekdays and skipping holidays, until N business days are counted. 5 business days from Monday = the following Monday.

Are half-days counted?

This calculator counts whole business days only. If your organization has half-days (like Christmas Eve), you would need to manually adjust the count by subtracting 0.5 for each half-day.

Do different countries have different work weeks?

Yes. In many Middle Eastern countries, the work week is Sunday through Thursday. Some countries have a 5.5-day work week. The default Monday-Friday convention applies to most Western and Asian business contexts.

Work Days Calculator

Count business days between dates — excludes weekends and holidays

Work Days Calculator

Calculate business days between dates (excludes weekends)

Excludes Saturdays and Sundays

Start Date (YYYY-MM-DD)

End Date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Formula

Count days excluding Saturday (6) and Sunday (0)

What Is a Work Days Calculator?

A work days calculator counts the number of business days — Monday through Friday — between two dates, excluding Saturday and Sunday. It's essential for calculating contract deadlines, project durations, legal notice periods, delivery times, and payroll cycles. Calendar days include weekends; work days don't. A standard 30-calendar-day month contains only about 22 business days, which makes this distinction critical for scheduling and planning.

This calculator gives you the exact count of weekdays between any two dates, with an optional holiday exclusion feature so you can account for national holidays or company-specific non-working days. Whether you're managing a project sprint, verifying a legal deadline, or planning a delivery window, knowing the precise number of business days prevents costly scheduling mistakes.

How to Use the Work Days Calculator

Enter the start date using the date picker or type it in manually.
Enter the end date — the calculator will count from start through end, inclusive.
Optionally select or enter any holidays to exclude from the business day count.
Click Calculate to see total business days, total calendar days, and the number of weekends excluded.

Formula & How It Works

Work days = Calendar days − Saturdays − Sundays − Holidays

Approximate formula:
  weeks      = floor(calendar_days / 7)
  work_days ≈ weeks × 5 + (remaining weekdays in partial week)

Exact algorithm:
  Loop through each date from start to end,
  count only Monday–Friday (excluding holidays)

Calendar vs. work days:
  1 week  = 5 work days
  1 month ≈ 22 work days (avg)
  1 year  ≈ 261 work days (excl. holidays)

Holiday counts vary by country and region. The US has 11 federal holidays; the UK has 8 bank holidays. Always confirm with the applicable jurisdiction when calculating legal deadlines — using the wrong holiday calendar can invalidate a notice period or contract term.

Practical Examples

2-Week Project Sprint Starting Monday

A sprint that starts on a Monday and runs for exactly 2 calendar weeks contains 10 work days. No weekends count, so the team has 10 days of actual working time. If a holiday falls in that window, the effective sprint shrinks to 9 (or fewer) business days.

30-Day Notice Period Starting Monday

A 30-calendar-day notice period that begins on a Monday contains approximately 22 business days. If 2 public holidays fall within that window, the effective work-day count drops to 20. For legal or HR purposes, always verify whether the notice period is measured in calendar days or business days — the contract language controls.

5-Week Delivery Window from Wednesday

A delivery window described as '5 weeks' from a Wednesday equals 35 calendar days but only about 25 business days (accounting for 10 weekend days). If the window starts mid-week, the partial weeks at each end reduce the total slightly. Use this calculator to get the precise count rather than estimating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between calendar days and business days?▾

Calendar days count every day of the week including Saturday and Sunday. Business days (also called work days or weekdays) count only Monday through Friday. A 7-day calendar week contains just 5 business days. This distinction matters for contracts, invoices, legal deadlines, and project timelines — always clarify which type of day is meant.

How do holidays affect the work days count?▾

Public holidays on weekdays reduce the number of business days in a period. For example, if a national holiday falls on a Tuesday within your date range, that day is subtracted from the work-day count. Different countries observe different holidays, so always use a holiday calendar relevant to your jurisdiction or organization.

What does 'Net Days 30' mean on an invoice?▾

'Net 30' on an invoice means payment is due within 30 calendar days of the invoice date — not 30 business days. So an invoice dated January 1 is due January 31 regardless of weekends or holidays. Some invoices specify 'Net 30 business days,' which is roughly 6 calendar weeks. Read the invoice terms carefully.

How do I calculate a legal deadline using business days?▾

Start from the trigger date (e.g., date of service or receipt), then count forward the required number of business days, skipping Saturdays, Sundays, and any official public holidays in the applicable jurisdiction. Many legal systems also exclude the trigger date itself from the count (day zero rule). When in doubt, consult a legal professional — miscounting a deadline can have serious consequences.

How many work days are in a year?▾

A standard year has 365 days, of which 104 are weekend days (52 Saturdays + 52 Sundays), leaving 261 potential business days. After subtracting federal or national holidays (typically 8–13 per country), most workers have approximately 250 working days per year. Leap years add one extra calendar day, which may or may not be a weekday.