Workdays Calculator
Count the number of working days between two dates. Customize workweek and exclude holidays.
Quick Answer
Select a date range and configure which days count as workdays. The calculator counts all workdays, optionally excluding US federal holidays and any custom holidays you specify. A typical work year has about 250-260 workdays.
Dr. Snezana Lawrence
Mathematical Historian
15+ years experience
PhD from Yale University. Published mathematical historian ensuring precision in all calculations.
Education
PhD in Mathematical History - Yale University
Table of Contents
How to Use the Workdays Calculator
Calculate workdays between any two dates with our flexible calculator:
- Select Start Date: Choose where your period begins
- Select End Date: Choose where your period ends
- Configure Workdays: Select which days of the week count as workdays
- Exclude Holidays: Toggle US federal holidays on/off
- Add Custom Holidays: Include company-specific or personal days off
- Calculate: Get your total workday count
Understanding Workdays
Workdays (also called business days or working days) are the days when most businesses operate:
Standard Workweek
In the US and many countries, the standard workweek is Monday through Friday (5 days).
Alternative Schedules
- 4-day workweek (Mon-Thu or Tue-Fri)
- 6-day workweek (common in some industries)
- Shift work with rotating days off
Excluded Days
Workday calculations typically exclude weekends and public holidays, though this varies by organization.
Workdays Per Year
| Scenario | Workdays | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 52 weeks × 5 days | 260 | Maximum possible |
| Minus federal holidays | ~249-252 | 11 federal holidays |
| With 2 weeks PTO | ~239-242 | 10 vacation days |
| With 3 weeks PTO | ~234-237 | 15 vacation days |
Project Planning with Workdays
Use workday calculations for accurate project planning:
- Delivery estimates: Base timelines on workdays, not calendar days
- Resource allocation: Calculate available work hours accurately
- Contract deadlines: Specify "business days" to avoid confusion
- Sprint planning: Account for holidays and time off
- Financial projections: Calculate working days for billing and payroll
Pro tip: When estimating project duration, multiply workdays by 0.8 to account for meetings, administrative tasks, and unexpected interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many workdays are in a year?
A typical year has approximately 260 workdays (52 weeks × 5 days). After accounting for US federal holidays, there are usually about 250-252 actual working days per year. This varies slightly year to year depending on how weekends align with holidays.
How do I calculate workdays in Excel?
In Excel, use the NETWORKDAYS function: =NETWORKDAYS(start_date, end_date, [holidays]). For more control over which days are weekends, use NETWORKDAYS.INTL, which lets you specify custom weekend patterns.
What's the difference between workdays and business days?
Workdays and business days are often used interchangeably. Both typically refer to Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays. Some specific contexts (legal, banking) may have precise definitions.
How many workdays are in a month?
A typical month has between 20-23 workdays, depending on the number of days in the month and how weekends fall. February usually has the fewest (20), while months with 31 days can have up to 23 workdays.
Are Saturdays considered workdays?
In a traditional US work schedule, Saturdays are not considered workdays. However, many industries and countries have different practices. Use our calculator's customizable workday settings to match your specific schedule.
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Dr. Snezana Lawrence
Mathematical Historian | PhD from Yale
Dr. Lawrence is a published mathematical historian with a PhD from Yale University. She ensures mathematical precision and accuracy in all our calculations, conversions, and academic score calculators. Her expertise spans computational mathematics and educational assessment.
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