Overview: Why You Need to Know This
You’ve probably wondered, “How many business days are in this month?” Whether you work in HR, finance, logistics, or just want to know when to expect that package—it’s a valid question. Planning around business days is key for payroll, deadlines, meetings, and more.
This article covers everything: what business days are, how to count them, how they vary by month, and tools to make it easier. Let’s break it all down—month by month!
Table of Contents
- What Are Business Days?
- Calendar Days vs Business Days
- Business Days in Each Month
- How Holidays Affect Business Days
- How to Count Business Days Easily
- Who Needs to Know Business Days?
- Pro Tips for Business Day Planning
- Common Questions Answered
- Conclusion
What Are Business Days?
Definition of Business Days
A business day is a weekday—Monday through Friday—excluding public holidays. So:
- Saturday = ❌
- Sunday = ❌
- Weekday with a holiday = ❌
Simple, right?
Calendar Days vs Business Days
- Calendar Days: All 7 days in a week.
- Business Days: Only working weekdays, usually 5 per week.
So if someone says, “Delivery in 7 business days,” don’t expect it on a Sunday!
Business Days in Each Month
Here’s a helpful monthly breakdown for a typical year in the U.S., assuming 8 weekends per month and standard federal holidays:
| Month | Total Days | Weekends | Public Holidays | Business Days |
| January | 31 | 8 | 2 | 21 |
| February | 28 | 8 | 1 | 19 |
| March | 31 | 10 | 0 | 21 |
| April | 30 | 8 | 0 | 22 |
| May | 31 | 8 | 1 | 22 |
| June | 30 | 10 | 1 | 19 |
| July | 31 | 8 | 1 | 22 |
| August | 31 | 10 | 0 | 21 |
| September | 30 | 8 | 1 | 21 |
| October | 31 | 8 | 1 | 22 |
| November | 30 | 10 | 2 | 18 |
| December | 31 | 8 | 2 | 21 |
How Holidays Affect Business Days
Holidays like Independence Day, Christmas, or Thanksgiving reduce your business day count. For example:
- November loses 2 days due to Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.
- December is hit by Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Some states and companies also have their own holidays. Always check your local calendar!
Leap Year? What Happens Then?
In a leap year, February has 29 days. If the 29th falls on a weekday, add 1 more business day to February’s total. That means:
- February in a leap year = up to 20 business days
How to Count Business Days Easily
1. Use an Online Business Day Calculator
Free websites like:
Just enter start and end dates, and they do the math for you.
2. Use Excel Formula
Here’s a simple trick if you love spreadsheets:
excel
Copyedit
=NETWORKDAYS (A1, B1, Holiday List)
- A1: Start date
- B1: End date
- Holiday List: A range of your holidays (optional)
This helps HR, finance, and project managers stay on track.
3. Use Google or Outlook Calendar
Set filters to show only weekdays. Add custom holidays. Boom—visual planning made easy.
Who Needs to Know Business Days?
1. HR & Payroll Teams
- To calculate workdays for salaries
- To determine leave balance
- To avoid missed payments on holidays
2. Project Managers
- To plan timelines more accurately
- To avoid delays during holiday seasons
- To align international teams with different holidays
3. Online Shoppers & Sellers
- Estimate delivery dates
- Set expectations for customers
- Avoid negative reviews by accounting for delays
Pro Tips for Business Day Planning
- Always add a buffer day for urgent tasks
- Check local/state holidays, not just federal ones
- Avoid ending a project on a Friday—no one likes that pressure
- Communicate delays clearly when holidays disrupt your flow
Common Questions Answered
How many working days are in a year?
Usually 260, assuming 52 weeks × 5 business days. But holidays reduce this by around 10–12 days, depending on your region.
Do Saturdays ever count as business days?
Typically, no. But in some countries (like the UAE or parts of Asia), they might. Always follow your country or industry norms.
Is the number of business days always fixed?
Nope. It varies every year based on:
- The day of the week the month starts
- Leap years
- Number of public holidays
What if my deadline falls on a holiday or weekend?
In most cases, deadlines move to the next business day. But always confirm with your employer, client, or institution.
Can I count business days manually?
Sure, but it’s time-consuming. Better to use an app, calculator, or Excel.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how to find the number of business days in each month. This knowledge helps you:
- Stay ahead of deadlines
- Plan better
- Avoid surprises when holidays pop up
Remember, weekends and public holidays can sneak up on you. So always double-check before setting an important date!
