How are working days counted?
Working days are the total calendar days between two dates, minus weekend days, minus public holidays.
The calculator counts both the first and last day as part of the period, which is how leave is recorded in most HR systems. Leave from Sunday to Thursday counts as 5 days, not 4.
Weekends differ by country Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar use Friday and Saturday, while Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan commonly use Friday–Sunday or Saturday–Sunday. Set the days before calculating.
When you need this
- Booking leave: knowing how many days will actually be deducted from your balance.
- Project management: estimating delivery in real working days rather than calendar days.
- Contracts and deadlines: terms specified in business days, such as "within 10 working days".
- Payroll: calculating pay for a partial month.
Important notes
- A holiday falling on a weekend is not double-counted: if National Day falls on a Friday and Friday is already your weekend, the tool counts it once.
- Check your national calendar: public holidays are announced annually and dates shift, especially those tied to the Hijri calendar.
- Your employer policy takes precedence: some companies deduct leave in calendar days rather than working days. Check your internal policy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate working days between two dates?
Enter the start and end dates, select your weekend days, and add any public holidays. The tool shows the number of working days after excluding all of them.
Is the last day included in the period?
Yes. The calculator counts both the first and last days, which is the standard method for leave. Leave from Sunday to Thursday equals 5 days.
How do I add public holidays?
Enter each date on its own line in YYYY-MM-DD format, such as 2026-09-23. They are excluded from working days unless they already fall on a weekend.
Does it support a Friday–Saturday weekend?
Yes. You can select any combination of weekdays, with quick presets for the Gulf weekend (Friday and Saturday) and the international weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
What if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
It is counted only once and never deducted twice — every day is classified as either a weekend day, a public holiday, or a working day.
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