How to count the days between two dates
- Pick a start date and an end date. They default to today and next New Year's Day.
- Tick Include the end date if both the first and last day should count, such as for a hotel stay or a vacation.
- Read the total days on the right, along with business days, weeks, hours and the calendar breakdown.
- Use the quick countdown buttons to jump to common dates.
Should you include the end date?
By default, the calculator counts the days between two dates, the same way you'd count nights. From Monday to Friday is 4 days. If you need to count both the first and last day, as for a 5-day event running Monday through Friday, tick the box to add one day.
Leases, notice periods and legal deadlines each have their own rules about counting. When the exact day matters, check the wording in the document.
How business days are counted
Business days are Monday through Friday. The calculator counts the weekdays from the start date up to the end date and treats every Saturday and Sunday as a weekend day.
Public holidays vary by country and employer, so they aren't removed automatically. Subtract the holidays that apply to you from the business day total.
Worked example
From March 1, 2026 to November 1, 2026 there are 245 days, which is 35 weeks and 0 days, or exactly 8 months.
Of those, 175 are business days and 70 are weekend days. That's 5,880 hours.
Quick reference
| Period | Days |
|---|---|
| One week | 7 |
| One month | 28 to 31 |
| One quarter | 90 to 92 |
| One year | 365 |
| Leap year (2028, 2032) | 366 |
| Business days in a year | 260 or 261 (before holidays) |
Frequently asked questions
How many days are there between two dates?
Subtract the earlier date from the later one. The calculator does this instantly and accounts for month lengths and leap years. Tick Include the end date if both days should count.
How do I count business days between dates?
The calculator shows business days automatically. It counts Monday through Friday and excludes weekends. Subtract any public holidays that apply to you.
Does the count include the start and end date?
By default it counts the start date but not the end date, which is how most date differences are measured. Tick the checkbox to include the end date as well.
How many days until Christmas or New Year?
Use the quick countdown buttons. They set today as the start date and the next Christmas or New Year's Day as the end date.
Does it work for dates far in the past or future?
Yes. You can count days across any years your browser's date picker allows, including leap years.