How Working Days Are Calculated
Learn how working days are calculated, including the methods for excluding weekends and public holidays. Understand the difference between calendar days and business days, and how country-specific rules affect working day calculations.
What Are Working Days and Business Days?
Working days (also called business days) are the days of the week when businesses and organizations typically operate. In most countries, this excludes weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and public holidays. Working days and business days are the same thing - they refer to days when businesses operate. These days are used for calculating deadlines, project timelines, leave periods, and contractual obligations.
Basic Calculation Method
To calculate working days and business days between two dates: 1) Count all calendar days from the start date through the end date (inclusive), 2) Subtract weekends (if excluding weekends), 3) Subtract public holidays (if excluding holidays). The result is the number of working days or business days. Working days and business days are calculated the same way.
Weekend Exclusion
Most countries follow a standard 5-day work week (Monday through Friday), making Saturday and Sunday non-working days. When calculating working days, these weekend days are typically excluded. Some countries or industries may have different weekend days, but the international standard is Saturday-Sunday.
Public Holiday Exclusion
Public holidays vary significantly by country. National holidays, religious holidays, and cultural observances all count as non-working days. When calculating working days, these holidays are subtracted from the total. Some holidays are fixed dates (like Christmas on December 25), while others are calculated (like Easter, which varies each year).
Country-Specific Variations
Different countries have different numbers of public holidays. For example, the United States has 10 federal holidays, while many European countries have 10-15 public holidays per year. Some countries also have regional holidays that vary by state or province. Always check local regulations for complete accuracy.
Working Days vs Business Days vs Calendar Days
Calendar days include every day in a date range, while working days and business days exclude weekends and holidays. Working days and business days are the same thing. For example, 7 calendar days from Monday to Sunday is only 5 working days or 5 business days (excluding the weekend). This distinction is crucial for project planning, leave calculations, and legal deadlines.