How Many Business Days Are In A Year

Have you ever wondered how many business days are in a year and how to calculate them? Typically, there are  249 to 251 working days in a year on average, depending on the number of weekend days and whether the year is a leap year, after accounting for holidays. In this article, we’ll break down the concept of business days, how they are calculated, and the factors that can influence their count.

What Are Business Days?

Business days refer to the standard working days in a week, usually Monday through Friday. These exclude weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and public or federal holidays. While business days are often used in workplaces, their definition may vary slightly depending on the country or region due to differences in holiday observances.

For example:

In the United States, business days exclude federal holidays like Independence Day or Thanksgiving.

Globally, regions may adjust business days according to cultural or religious practices, such as Middle Eastern countries where the workweek often runs from Sunday to Thursday.

Understanding the concept of business days is crucial for interpreting deadlines, processing times, and payment schedules in contracts, bank transactions, and government services.

How Many Business Days Are in a Year?

On average, a year contains approximately 260 business days. However, this number can vary depending on whether it is a leap year and the specific public holidays observed during that year.

Standard Year:

A year has 365 days.

Subtract 104 weekend days (52 weeks × 2 days each weekend).

On average, there are about 261 weekdays.

After accounting for public holidays (approximately 10-12), the final count of business days is around 249-252.

Leap Year:

A leap year has 366 days.

Subtract 104 weekend days.

This results in 262 weekdays, which translate to about 250-253 business days after removing holidays.

How Many Working Days In 2025?

Because 2025 is not a leap year, it has 365 days.

Let's remove 52 Saturdays and 52 sundays. There are 261 days left.

Now, let's remove 11 public holidays that do not fall during a weekend and we obtain 250 working days in 2025.

Here is the list of these 11 public holidays in 2025:

1. New Year's Day: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
2. Martin Luther King Day: Monday, January 20, 2025
3. Washington's Birthday: Monday, February 17, 2025
4. Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2025
5. Juneteenth National Independence Day: Thursday, June 19, 2025
6. Independence Day: Friday, July 4, 2025
7. Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025
8. Columbus Day: Monday, October 13, 2025
9. Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
10. Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 27, 2025
11. Christmas: Thursday, December 25, 2025

How to Calculate Business Days in a Year Manually

Calculating business days in a year requires a systematic approach. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Start with Total Days in a Year: Use 365 for a standard year or 366 for a leap year.

Step 2: Subtract Weekends: There are typically 104 weekend days in a year (52 weeks × 2 days).

Step 3: Account for Public Holidays: Depending on the country, subtract the number of holidays that fall on weekdays. For example, in the U.S., there are about 10-12 federal holidays annually.

Example Calculation:

For 2024 (a leap year):

Total days = 366

Weekend days = 104

Weekdays = 366 - 104 = 262

Subtract 12 public holidays = 262 - 12 = 250 business days

Factors Affecting Business Days

Several factors influence the total number of business days in a specific year:

Weekends: Since weekends are non-working days in most regions, their distribution across the year directly affects the business day count.

Public Holidays: National and regional holidays can reduce the number of business days. For example, Christmas and New Year's Day often fall on weekdays, reducing the total count.

Leap Years: Leap years add an extra day to the calendar, impacting the calculation slightly. For example, if February 29 falls on a weekday, the total business days increase.

Regional Variations: Different countries have different holidays. For instance, the U.S. observed holidays like Labor Day and Thanksgiving, while the U.K. observes Boxing Day. These regional differences influence local business day counts.

List of public holidays in the U.S

• New Year’s Day: January 1
• Martin Luther King’s Birthday: 3rd Monday in January
• Washington’s Birthday: 3rd Monday in February
• Memorial Day: last Monday in May
• Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19
• Independence Day: July 4
• Labor Day: 1st Monday in September
• Columbus Day: 2nd Monday in October
• Veterans’ Day: November 11
• Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thursday in November
• Christmas Day: December 25

FAQs

How many weekends are in a year?

A year typically has 52 weekends, which equals 104 weekend days (52 Saturdays + 52 Sundays).

How long is a business day?

A business day typically spans 8 hours in most workplaces, commonly from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, the length of a business day can vary depending on the company, industry, or country.

How many business days are in 2024?

In 2024, which is a leap year:

• Total days: 366
• Subtract weekends: 104 days (52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays)
• Weekdays: 262 days
• Subtract public holidays (about 10-12): 250-252 business days

How many business days are in 2023?

In 2023, which is a standard year:

• Total days: 365
• Subtract weekends: 104 days
• Weekdays: 261 days
• Subtract public holidays (about 10-12): 249-251 business days

In summary, the number of business days in a year depends on various factors such as weekends, public holidays, and whether it is a leap year. On average, there are about 249-251 business days in a year. Understanding this calculation can help you stay organized, meet deadlines, and plan your schedule more effectively. Whether you're coordinating projects, setting goals, or simply curious, knowing how to calculate business days is a practical skill that enhances time management.