What Are Business Days?
Business days are weekdays — Monday through Friday — excluding Saturday and Sunday. They represent the standard working days used in contracts, shipping estimates, banking, legal filings, and corporate deadlines.
Business Days = Calendar Days − Saturday Count − Sunday Count
Our calculator counts each day in the range and checks if it falls Monday–Friday (day index 1–5 in JavaScript).
Calendar Days vs. Business Days — The Key Difference
This distinction matters every time a contract, order, or deadline mentions "days." Unless explicitly stated as "business days," most legal contexts assume calendar days:
| If the deadline is... | Starting Monday | Starting Friday |
|---|---|---|
| 5 calendar days | Saturday | Wednesday |
| 5 business days | Monday (next week) | Friday (next week) |
| 10 business days | 2 full weeks later | 2 full weeks later |
| 30 business days | ~6 calendar weeks | ~6 calendar weeks |
Real-World Uses for Business Day Calculations
Shipping and Delivery
When Amazon or a bank says "3-5 business days," they mean weekdays only. An order placed on Friday afternoon might not be processed until Monday. Counting correctly: Friday + 3 business days = Wednesday (skip Saturday and Sunday).
Legal and Financial Deadlines
Notice periods, dispute resolution windows, and regulatory filings often specify business days. A "60-day cure period" in a contract that starts on Monday covers 12 calendar weeks. Missing this by even one day can have legal consequences.
HR and Payroll
Payroll cycles, background check timelines (typically 3-5 business days), notice periods (often "2 weeks" = 10 business days), and benefit waiting periods are all counted in business days.
Banking and Wire Transfers
ACH transfers in the US take 1-3 business days. SWIFT international wires take 2-5 business days. If you initiate a transfer on Thursday, it may not clear until Tuesday of the following week.
Business Days Per Month in 2026
Use the Monthly Reference tab above to see the full breakdown, or refer to this quick guide:
| Month (2026) | Business Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | 22 | Starts Thursday |
| February | 20 | 28 days (not a leap year) |
| March | 22 | Starts Sunday |
| April | 22 | Starts Wednesday |
| May | 21 | Starts Friday |
| June | 22 | Starts Monday |
| July | 23 | Starts Wednesday |
| August | 21 | Starts Saturday |
| September | 22 | Starts Tuesday |
| October | 22 | Starts Thursday |
| November | 20 | Starts Sunday |
| December | 23 | Starts Tuesday |
Total business days in 2026: 260 (excludes public holidays, which vary by country)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many business days are between two dates?
Enter both dates in the "Days Between Dates" mode above. The calculator counts each day in the range and includes only Monday through Friday. For example, from January 5, 2026 (Monday) to January 16, 2026 (Friday) there are exactly 10 business days — a full two work weeks.
How do I add business days to a date?
Use the "Add Business Days" mode. Enter your start date and the number of business days to add. The calculator skips Saturday and Sunday automatically. Adding 5 business days to a Wednesday gives you the following Wednesday (skipping the two weekend days in between).
Do business days include public holidays?
Our calculator does not automatically exclude public holidays because they vary by country, state, and employer. The result shows pure weekdays (Monday–Friday). If your calculation must exclude specific holidays (like Christmas or Thanksgiving), manually subtract those days from the result.
How many business days are in a year on average?
A standard year has approximately 260–262 business days. This equals 52 weeks × 5 weekdays, plus 1 or 2 extra weekdays depending on how New Year's Day falls. In 2026 there are 260 business days (weekdays only, before public holidays).
What if a business deadline falls on a weekend?
In most legal and commercial contexts, if a deadline falls on Saturday or Sunday, it rolls to the next business day (Monday). However, this depends on jurisdiction and contract language. Always check whether the governing agreement specifies this rollover rule.