A weekday count usually means Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays excluded. That sounds simple until you need to decide whether the starting and ending dates count, or whether public holidays should be removed.
The right method depends on the question you are answering. A delivery estimate may use elapsed weekdays, while a work schedule may include both the first and final day.
Elapsed versus inclusive weekday counts
An elapsed count measures the time between two dates. An inclusive count treats both endpoints as part of the range. If both dates are weekdays, an inclusive result is usually one day greater than the elapsed result.
- Use elapsed counting for time that has passed.
- Use inclusive counting when work happens on both the start and end dates.
- Write down the convention beside any deadline or estimate.
How to count weekdays by hand
First count the complete seven-day weeks. Each full week contains five weekdays. Then inspect the remaining days and count only Monday through Friday.
- Complete weeks × 5 gives the weekday total for the full weeks.
- Add weekdays from the remaining partial week.
- Subtract holidays or company closure days separately.
Why holidays need a separate check
A basic weekday calculation does not know which national, regional, religious, or company holidays apply to you. After finding the Monday-through-Friday total, review a relevant holiday calendar and subtract any closure dates inside the range.
Common questions
Questions about this topic
Do weekdays include Saturday?
No. In a standard weekday count, weekdays are Monday through Friday. Weekend definitions can differ in some countries and workplaces.
Should I count the start date?
Count it when your schedule is inclusive and the start date is an active day. Do not count it when measuring elapsed time from the start of that date.
Are bank holidays automatically excluded?
No. Holiday calendars vary, so remove the holidays that apply to your location and situation after calculating weekdays.