Business Days Calculator
Count the number of business days (excluding weekends) between two dates for payroll, contracts, or project planning.
About Business Days
📅 What Counts as a Business Day
In the US, a standard business day is Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Most banks, government offices, and corporations operate on this schedule.
This calculator counts weekdays by default. Use the checkboxes to include Saturday or Sunday if your business operates on those days.
🏛️ Federal Holidays
The US recognizes 11 federal holidays: New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
This calculator can automatically exclude all 11 US federal holidays when the checkbox is enabled.
💡 Common Uses
- Contract deadlines (e.g., “within 30 business days”)
- Shipping estimates and delivery windows
- Payroll and timesheet calculations
- Project timelines and sprint planning
- PTO accrual and vacation planning
- Legal filing deadlines
⚠️ Important Considerations
Business day definitions vary by industry. Financial markets close on different holidays than retail stores. Always confirm the specific business day rules for your situation.
For international contracts, clarify which country’s business days apply — working days differ across countries and cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many business days are between two dates?
Enter a start date and an end date. The calculator counts all weekdays (Monday through Friday) between them and optionally skips US federal holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The result shows the business day count alongside a visual split of working versus non-working days.
What counts as a business day in the US?
In the US, a business day is typically Monday through Friday, excluding federal public holidays. The ten federal holidays include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Some industries or contracts may define business days differently, so always check the specific terms.
How do I calculate 30 business days from today?
Set the start date to today and count forward, or use the calculator by entering today as start and a future date as end, adjusting until the result reads 30 business days. A rough rule of thumb is 30 business days equals about 6 calendar weeks, though holidays can add extra days.
Can I use this calculator for payroll periods or contract deadlines?
Yes. Many contracts, bank transfers, and legal deadlines specify business days rather than calendar days. Enter the start date of a contract or transaction and the required number-of-business-days deadline, then check what calendar date that falls on. Toggle federal holidays in or out depending on your specific agreement.
Do weekends ever count as business days?
By default they do not, but some businesses operate Saturday as a regular workday. If your workplace treats Saturday as a workday, you can adjust by counting those days manually or using the date duration tool to get total calendar days. Standard US financial and legal contexts treat only Monday-Friday as business days.