Business days — weekdays excluding Saturday and Sunday — matter for project deadlines, shipping estimates, and contract terms. This calculator counts working days between two dates, excluding weekends automatically.
How it's calculated
The calculator counts every calendar day between the start and end date, then subtracts Saturdays and Sundays. It does not account for public holidays, since these vary by country and region — factor those in separately if relevant.
Worked example
From May 1 to May 30 (30 calendar days): removing 8 weekend days (4 Saturdays and 4 Sundays in that range) leaves 22 business days.
Common uses
- Shipping and delivery estimates: "5-7 business days" excludes weekends from the count.
- Contract and legal deadlines: notice periods are often specified in business days rather than calendar days.
- Project planning: estimating realistic working timelines that account for weekends.
Important limitation
This calculator excludes weekends only — it does not know about public holidays, which vary by country, region, and even industry. If your deadline needs to account for holidays too, subtract those manually from the result.
Common mistakes
- Assuming business days = calendar days. A "10 business day" deadline is typically about 14 calendar days, not 10, once weekends are factored in.
- Forgetting regional holiday differences. Public holidays differ significantly between countries — always check local holidays for deadlines that matter.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a business day?
Typically Monday through Friday, excluding Saturday and Sunday. This calculator does not exclude public holidays, since these vary by country and region.
How many business days are in a typical month?
Usually between 20 and 23, depending on how weekends fall and the length of the month.
Does this account for public holidays?
No. It excludes weekends only. Subtract any relevant public holidays from the result manually, since holiday calendars vary widely by country.