Business Days Calculator – Count Weekdays Between Two Dates (2025)

Business Days Calculator

Need business days between two dates? Here’s the fast way: open our main calculator, choose your start and end dates, turn on workdays only, and (if you want) remove U.S. holidays. You’ll get a clean count of the days offices are open. This helps with deadlines, payroll, shipping windows, and service goals. Follow the simple steps below. Updated 2025.

Open the Free Date Calculator

How to count business days

  1. Open the tool: Free Date Calculator.
  2. Select your start date and end date.
  3. Turn on workdays only (Mon–Fri).
  4. (Optional) Turn on exclude U.S. federal holidays.
  5. Pick a mode: Exclusive (days between) or Inclusive (count both ends).
  6. Click Calculate.
Takeaway: For most timelines and SLAs, use Exclusive + workdays + holidays for a policy-friendly number.

What the settings mean

  • Workdays only: Removes Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Exclude U.S. holidays: Removes federal holidays with proper “observed” dates.
  • Inclusive vs. Exclusive: Inclusive counts both start and end. Exclusive counts only the days in the middle.

If your rule says “through Friday,” Inclusive usually fits. If it says “between these dates,” Exclusive is safer.

Summary: Match the settings to how your team actually counts days.

Examples

  • Invoice terms: Jun 3 → Jun 17, Exclusive, workdays only → 10 business days.
  • Hiring window: Dec 20 → Jan 3, weekends and holidays removed → only the days offices are open.
  • Shipping estimate: Order date to promised ship date measured in business days keeps promises realistic.

Quick tip: If the last workday should count, switch the mode to Inclusive before you calculate.

Bottom line: Choose a mode once, use it every time, and your numbers will stay consistent.

Edge cases to watch

  • Start equals end: Exclusive = 0; Inclusive = 1 (if that date is a workday).
  • Holiday on a weekend: The “observed” weekday is removed when you enable holidays.
  • Company days off: Remove weekends and holidays, then subtract your extra dates by hand.
If your policy uses a different workweek (like Tue–Sat), run the result with workdays only and adjust the final count.

Useful links

Start at the Homepage • Learn About Us • Get help on Contact
Related pages: Workday Calculator • Days Between Dates

FAQ

What is a business day?

A business day is Monday through Friday. Many teams also remove federal holidays. Our tool lets you do both with simple toggles.

Should I use Inclusive or Exclusive?

For schedules and service goals, most people use Exclusive. If the last workday should count, choose Inclusive.

Does the calculator handle holidays?

Yes. Turn on the holiday option to remove U.S. federal holidays, including the observed weekday when a holiday falls on a weekend.

Can I add my company’s custom holidays?

Today the quick approach is: remove weekends and federal holidays, then subtract your own dates. Custom lists may be added later.

Page last updated: 2025