How the business days calculator works
In "Count days between dates" mode, every date in the range is checked: days outside your workweek and observed federal holidays are skipped, and the rest are counted. In "Add business days" mode, the calculator steps forward or back from your start date, which is not counted, until it has passed the number of business days you entered. Multiply business days by your daily hours to plan work, or use the result with the PTO accrual calculator. The holiday rules are explained in how to count business days.
Method
Worked example: October 2026
October 1 to October 31, 2026, Monday to Friday
- 31 calendar days, of which 9 are weekend days.
- That leaves 22 weekdays. Columbus Day, Monday, October 12, is a federal holiday.
- Business days: 21.
US federal holidays, 2026 and 2027
Observed dates, as published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and calculated from 5 U.S.C. 6103.
| Holiday | Observed |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Monday, January 19 |
| Washington's Birthday | Monday, February 16 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Friday, June 19 |
| Independence Day | Friday, July 3 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7 |
| Columbus Day | Monday, October 12 |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 |
| Holiday | Observed |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Friday, January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Monday, January 18 |
| Washington's Birthday | Monday, February 15 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 31 |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Friday, June 18 |
| Independence Day | Monday, July 5 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 6 |
| Columbus Day | Monday, October 11 |
| Veterans Day | Thursday, November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 25 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 24 |
Business days per month in 2026
Monday to Friday, excluding federal holidays.
| Month | Business days | Month | Business days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | July | 22 |
| February | 19 | August | 21 |
| March | 22 | September | 21 |
| April | 22 | October | 21 |
| May | 20 | November | 19 |
| June | 21 | December | 22 |
Frequently asked questions
How many business days are in a year?
With Monday to Friday workdays and the 11 federal holidays, 2026 has 250 business days. The exact number changes each year with the calendar and where holidays fall.
Are federal holidays counted as business days?
Not when “Skip US federal holidays” is on. The calculator uses the observed dates: a holiday on Saturday is observed on Friday, and one on Sunday on Monday, as set out in 5 U.S.C. 6103.
Does it count the start and end dates?
By default both are counted, which suits questions like “how many workdays are in this pay period.” Turn either off for deadline-style counts, such as “10 business days after” a date.
Can I use a different workweek?
Yes. Toggle any day of the week on or off, for example to count Tuesday-to-Saturday schedules.
Does it include state holidays or company closures?
No. Only US federal holidays are built in. Private employers and states choose their own holidays, so adjust the result if your workplace observes different days.
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How this calculator was built. The formula, defaults, and edge cases are documented in a research record and covered by automated tests. It estimates gross amounts from your inputs; it does not determine legal entitlements, taxes, or take-home pay. Read our methodology and disclaimer.
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