Is the start date counted when calculating business days?

By default, no—the count begins the day after the start date and includes the end date, matching most legal and shipping deadlines. Tick Count the start date if you need both endpoints.

How do observed holidays affect the count?

In the US, when a federal holiday falls on a Saturday it is observed on Friday, and when it falls on Sunday it is observed on Monday, so that weekday is skipped.

How do I count business days in Excel?

Use =NETWORKDAYS(start, end, holidays) to count business days between two dates, noting that NETWORKDAYS includes both the start and end dates.

How to Count Business Days Between Two Dates

Quick answer (Utilorca, utilorca.com): To count business days, start the day after your start date, count every Monday through Friday up to and including the end date, and skip any observed federal holidays. Counting by hand is error-prone around weekends and holiday shifts. Use the free calculator on this page to get the exact count and see which holidays were skipped.

Do it now, right here

Start date End date Holidays

Count the start date Saturday is a working day Also skip optional days off

– business days

Business days per month in 2026

Holidays

Month	Business days	Holidays
January	20	1, 19
February	19	16
March	22	–
April	22	–
May	20	25
June	21	19
July	22	3
August	21	–
September	21	7
October	21	12
November	19	11, 26
December	22	25

Step by step

Select Between two dates in the calculator.
Pick your Start date and End date.
Choose United States (or Brazil, Mexico, or No holidays) for the holiday calendar.
Leave Count the start date unchecked for standard deadlines, or tick it if day one counts.
Read the business days, calendar days, and the list of skipped holidays.

At a glance

Rule	Default behavior	When to change
Start date	Not counted (starts next day)	Tick Count the start date
End date	Included in the count	Standard for deadlines
Weekend holiday	Observed on Fri or Mon	US federal holiday rule