QUICK ANSWER
A business-day count starts with the selected endpoints, removes weekends, then optionally removes observed U.S. federal holidays that fall on weekdays.
01Choose the endpoint convention
INCLUSIVECount both dates
Useful for staffing or attendance ranges where both days are worked.
EXCLUSIVE STARTCount after the start
Often used for “within N business days” deadlines. Check the governing rule.
02Observed federal holidays
The calculator follows the federal holiday names and observed-date convention published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. A Saturday holiday is generally observed on Friday; a Sunday holiday is generally observed on Monday. Private employers may use different schedules.
| Calendar days | Weekend days | Federal holidays | Business days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
Common questions
Are federal holidays mandatory days off for private employees?
No. The federal calendar is a useful counting option; private workplace schedules can differ.
Does the tool include state holidays?
No. Add or subtract policy-specific dates separately.
Official sourceU.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays