Calculation details
Planning estimate only. Pay, overtime, holidays, and working-time rules vary by employer and jurisdiction.
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Use this result
Share the current inputs or ask ChatGPT to explain the calculation in context.
What does this calculator estimate?
A Monday through Friday week contains 5 business days. The tool counts weekdays between a start and end date, inclusive of both.
- Business days are Monday through Friday (Wikipedia).
- The count is inclusive of both the start and end date.
- US federal holidays are not automatically excluded unless enabled.
What business days mean
Business days are the working days of the week — Monday through Friday in most regions. Contracts, shipping promises, and HR policies count them to define deadlines: '5 business days' excludes weekends.
Limitations to watch for
The tool excludes weekends but not holidays — those vary by country, state, and company. A Friday-to-Monday count of 2 business days can stretch to 4 with a Monday holiday. Confirm the holiday calendar for your region.
How to use it in practice
Use it to estimate delivery and processing times, plan project timelines, and interpret 'N business days' promises. Add your region's public holidays manually for precision.
['Pick the start date.', 'Pick the end date.', 'Read the business-day count.']
What business days means
Business days are weekdays, excluding weekends and optionally holidays. A task due in '5 business days' from Monday lands the following Monday, not Saturday. The calculator counts weekdays and can skip listed holidays.
The end-date math
Adding 5 business days to a Wednesday: Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — the answer is the following Wednesday. Weekend days don't count but still pass on the calendar, which is why the date can surprise people.
Holidays shift the count
A 10-business-day deadline spanning a public holiday lands a day later. The calculator's holiday list matches US federal holidays by default, with an option to add company holidays.
A worked example
Invoice issued Friday with net-30 business-day terms: the due date lands roughly 6 calendar weeks later because 30 weekdays skip ~12 weekend days plus any holidays. The calculator returns the exact date so the terms are enforceable.
Business days in contracts
Contracts that say 'within X business days' need the same counting method both sides use. Agreeing on holidays and start-day convention (day of issue counts or not) prevents disputes. The calculator makes the arithmetic unambiguous.
How this calculator works
Formula
Counts the weekdays (Monday–Friday) between a start and end date, inclusive of both.
Worked example
A Monday through Friday week contains 5 business days.
Assumptions to verify
- Business days = Monday–Friday.
- Both dates are included in the count.
- Holidays are excluded by the user separately.
Frequently asked questions
What is a business day?
A working day — Monday through Friday in most places, excluding weekends and holidays.
How do I count business days?
Count weekdays between the dates, inclusive. A Monday–Friday span = 5 business days.
Does it include holidays?
No — the tool excludes weekends only. Check your region's holiday calendar for precise counts.
How many business days are in a week?
Five — unless a holiday falls in it.
Does '5 business days' mean a calendar week?
Usually slightly more: 5 business days from Monday lands on the following Monday (excluding weekends).
Can I count backwards?
The tool counts between chosen dates — reverse the dates to count an earlier span.
Why do shipping estimates use business days?
Carriers and offices operate on weekdays, so transit times are quoted in working days.
Do weekends count as business days?
No — Saturday and Sunday are excluded.
Do holidays count?
Usually not — the calculator can skip US federal and custom holidays.
What is 5 business days from Wednesday?
The following Wednesday — the weekend pushes it forward.
Cite this tool
BoringToolsKit. “Business Days Calculator.” boringtoolskit.com/business-days-calculator/ (reviewed 2026-08-25). Free to reference in articles, syllabi, and answer posts with a link.
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