Step by step
- Enter your start date in cell A2 and end date (or number of days) in cell B2.
- Optional: list your holiday dates in a separate range such as D2:D12.
- To count workdays between two dates, type =NETWORKDAYS(A2, B2, D2:D12).
- To add workdays to a start date, type =WORKDAY(A2, B2, D2:D12).
At a glance
| Goal | Excel formula | Start date behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Count workdays between dates | =NETWORKDAYS(start, end, holidays) | Counts both start and end dates |
| Add workdays to a date | =WORKDAY(start, days, holidays) | Starts counting the day after start |
| Custom weekend days | =NETWORKDAYS.INTL(start, end, weekend, holidays) | Lets you set non-standard weekends |
Related questions
Does NETWORKDAYS include the start date?
Yes. NETWORKDAYS counts both the start date and the end date if they are weekdays and not in your holiday list. By contrast, WORKDAY starts counting from the day after the start date.
How do I add business days to a date in Excel?
Use =WORKDAY(start_date, days, holidays). For example, =WORKDAY(A2, 15) adds 15 weekdays to the date in A2, skipping Saturdays and Sundays.
Does Excel skip federal holidays automatically?
No. Excel only skips weekends by default; you must list holiday dates in a cell range and pass that range as the third argument.
More questions: business days calculator
- What Are Business Days?
- Working Days vs Business Days: What Is the Difference?
- How to Count Business Days Between Two Dates
- How to Count Business Days From Today
- How Many Business Days Are in 2026?
- How Do Business Days Work for SAT Deadlines in Mexico?
- Do Saturdays Count as Business Days?
- Do Holidays Count as Business Days?
- How to Convert Business Days to Calendar Days
Open the full business days calculator →
Updated November 14, 2026.