Introduction
Why Knowing Business Days Matters
Have you ever needed to know how many business days in a month? Maybe you’re setting a deadline, estimating your paycheck, or planning a shipping date.
Knowing how many business days in a month is helpful for:
- Meeting deadlines
- Paying employees
- Processing deliveries
- Planning appointments
Table of Contents
Who Needs This Information Most
This guide is perfect for:
- HR professionals
- Project managers
- Freelancers
- Students
- Online shoppers
- Business owners
If you’re one of them, keep reading!
What Are Business Days?
Clear Definition of a Business Day
A business day means any weekday that isn’t a weekend or public holiday. That’s Monday to Friday, minus days off.
So for most people:
- Saturday and Sunday = Not business days
- Monday to Friday = Business days
- National holidays = Not business days
Business Days vs Calendar Days
Let’s break it down:
- Calendar days include all 7 days of the week.
- Business days only count Monday–Friday (excluding holidays.
So if someone says “It’ll arrive in 7 business days,” don’t expect it next Monday if you ordered it on a Friday!
How Many Business Days in a Month Explained
Let’s take a closer look at each month and its typical business days. These are average numbers based on standard U.S. holidays and a Monday–Friday workweek.
How Many Business Days in a Month January
- Total Days: 31
- Weekends: 8 days
- Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Business Days: 21
How Many Business Days in a Month February
- Total Days: 28 (29 in leap years)
- Weekends: 8 days
- Holiday: Presidents’ Day
- Business Days: 19 (20 in leap years)
How Many Business Days in a Month March
- Total Days: 31
- Weekends: 10 days
- Holidays: None
- Business Days: 21
How Many Business Days in a Month April
- Total Days: 30
- Weekends: 8 days
- Holidays: None
- Business Days: 22
How Many Business Days in a Month May
- Holiday: Memorial Day
- Business Days: 22
How Many Business Days in a Month June
- Holiday: Juneteenth
- Business Days: 20
How Many Business Days in a Month July
- Holiday: Independence Day
- Business Days: 21–22
How Many Business Days in a Month August
- Holidays: None
- Business Days: 23
How Many Business Days in a Month September
- Holiday: Labor Day
- Business Days: 21
How Many Business Days in a Month October
- Holiday: Columbus Day
- Business Days: 22
How Many Business Days in a Month November
- Holidays: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving
- Business Days: 18
How Many Business Days in a Month December
- Holidays: Christmas, sometimes New Year’s Eve
- Business Days: 21
Full Table: Business Days in Each Month
| Month | Business Days (Avg.) |
| January | 21 |
| February | 19 |
| March | 21 |
| April | 22 |
| May | 22 |
| June | 20 |
| July | 22 |
| August | 23 |
| September | 21 |
| October | 22 |
| November | 18 |
| December | 21 |
What Affects Business Day Counts?
Weekends
Each month typically has 8–10 weekend days. These reduce your working days significantly.
Public Holidays
U.S. federal holidays like:
- New Year’s Day
- Independence Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
…take away from your business day total.
Leap Years
In leap years (like 2024), February gets one extra day—potentially adding one more business day.
Smart Tools to Count Business Days
Excel Formulas
Use this simple Excel formula:
excel
CopyEdit
=NETWORKDAYS(start_date, end_date, [holidays])
It calculates weekdays between two dates while skipping holidays.
Online Calculators
Try free tools like:
Just plug in your dates, and you’re good to go!
Using Calendar Apps
Apps like Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook can show only weekdays, and you can block off holidays too.
Practical Uses of Business Day Info
For Payroll and HR Teams
- Schedule pay cycles correctly
- Handle leave requests
- Track working hours accurately
For Shipping and Delivery
- Set accurate delivery expectations
- Avoid holiday delays
- Improve customer service
For Students and Freelancers
- Plan submission deadlines
- Estimate turnaround times
- Set work goals per week/month
Conclusion
Business days matter more than we realize. From getting paid on time to meeting deadlines, knowing how many business days in a month helps you stay ahead of the game.
Use the table, know the holidays, and grab one of those easy tools to make it even smoother. With a little planning, your calendar becomes your best friend.
FAQs
1. How many working days are in a year?
On average, about 260 business days in a year, minus holidays.
2. Do weekends ever count as business days?
Not in most countries, but some industries or nations may count Saturdays.
3. What if my deadline is on a holiday?
It usually rolls to the next business day, unless otherwise stated.
4. How can I count business days fast?
Use Excel formulas or free online business day calculators.
5. Are all holidays non-business days?
Most public holidays are non-business days, but this can vary by region or company policy.