How Many Working Days Are in a Year? (Simple 2025 Guide + Calculator) Updated 2025
Answer: For a Monday–Friday schedule, start with 260 weekdays in a common year (52 weeks × 5). Then subtract public holidays and PTO to get your own working days. The exact count varies by year and country.
On this page you’ll see how the number changes by year, learn a quick method, and use a simple calculator to estimate your workdays after holidays and time off.
Working Days in a Year: The Simple Rule
For most office jobs that run Monday through Friday, start with 260 weekdays in a common year. That comes from 52 weeks × 5 weekdays.
Takeaway: 260 is the fast estimate for a 5-day week before holidays and time off.
Why the Number Changes by Year
The calendar does not line up the same way every year. Two small things change the weekday count:
- Which day the year starts on. In a common year (365 days), one day-of-week occurs 53 times. If that extra day is a weekday, you’ll see 261 weekdays; if it’s a weekend, you’ll get 260.
- Leap years. A leap year (366 days) has two “extra” consecutive days. Depending on where they land, the number of weekdays can be 260, 261, or 262.
After that, your region’s holidays and your PTO bring the total down to your personal working days.
Takeaway: Exact weekday counts depend on the year pattern and leap years; your final workdays depend on holidays and time off.
Takeaway: Exact counts are easy when you start from weekdays and subtract holidays and PTO.
Examples You Can Copy
Office Job (U.S.)
- Start: 260 weekdays (common year estimate)
- Minus 11 federal holidays (observed): 249
- Minus 10 days PTO: 239
Result: About 239 working days. Your number will vary based on your state holidays and time off.
Retail or Healthcare (Mon–Sat)
- Start: Count Mon–Sat days in the year (use the calculator)
- Subtract holidays your workplace observes
- Subtract PTO
Result: Higher than office jobs because Saturdays count as workdays.
Takeaway: Start with weekdays for your schedule, then subtract holidays and PTO to get a solid plan.
Different Schedules and What to Watch
Compressed Workweeks (e.g., 4×10)
Your workdays go down (fewer days), but your hours stay the same. Use weekdays to estimate days, then convert to hours for pay and staffing.
Rotating Shifts
Count total shifts you work per cycle, then scale to the year. The weekday method will not fit well—use your rotation pattern instead.
Part-Time Staff
Track days you are scheduled rather than generic weekdays. The calculator still helps as a baseline, but your schedule rules the final number.
Takeaway: Match the method to your schedule. Use hours for complex shifts or compressed weeks.
School Days & Trading Days
School or Academic Year
School years vary by district. Many target 170–180 instructional days in the U.S., plus staff days and breaks. Always check your local calendar.
Trading Days
U.S. stock markets typically run on about 252 trading days per year. This excludes weekends and exchange holidays. The exact number changes slightly each year.
Takeaway: “Working days” differ by context—office jobs, schools, and markets all count days in their own way.
Keep Learning
- Review the basics on our How many days in a year (home) page.
- See what happens in a leap year and how it can change weekday counts.
- Convert time on our weeks, hours, minutes, and seconds page.
- Learn who we are on About or contact us with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many working days are in a year?
A quick estimate for a Monday–Friday schedule is 260 weekdays in a common year. The exact number can be 260 or 261 depending on how the calendar lands, and in leap years it can be 260–262. Subtract holidays and PTO to get your personal total.
How many business days are in 2025?
2025 is a common year. Start from 260 weekdays for a Monday–Friday schedule. Subtract the public holidays you observe and your time off to get your business-day count.
Are there more working days in a leap year?
Sometimes. Leap years add one date to the calendar. Depending on where the extra days fall, the number of weekdays can increase by 0, 1, or 2. Many planners still use 260 as a starting point and adjust to the specific year.
How do I calculate my own workdays?
Count weekdays for your schedule (Mon–Fri or Mon–Sat). Subtract public holidays you follow and your PTO. Our calculator above does the weekday counting for you.
How many trading days are in a year?
U.S. markets usually have about 252 trading days per year. It changes a little each year with the holiday calendar.