Calculate Working Days Between Dates
Find how many business days fall between your chosen dates, excluding weekends and UK bank holidays.
Add Working Days to a Date
Find the date after adding a specified number of working days. Essential for calculating delivery dates and deadlines.
Subtract Working Days from a Date
Find when you need to start to meet a deadline. Work backwards from your target date.
UK Notice Period Calculator
Calculate key UK deadlines based on standard notice periods for employment, tenancy, and legal matters.
UK Bank Holidays 2026
Our calculator automatically excludes these dates. Bank holidays vary between England & Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day Substitute (26 Dec is Saturday) |
Total: 8 bank holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| 2 January | Friday | 2nd January Scotland only |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 3 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday Different date |
| 30 November | Monday | St Andrew's Day Scotland only |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day Substitute (26 Dec is Saturday) |
Total: 9 bank holidays in 2026 (Scotland has different dates for some holidays)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| 17 March | Tuesday | St Patrick's Day NI only |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 13 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne NI only |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day Substitute (26 Dec is Saturday) |
Total: 10 bank holidays in 2026 (Northern Ireland has 2 additional holidays)
Working Days in 2026: Key Facts for the UK
The year 2026 has 253 working days in England and Wales, making it slightly above the average. Here is a summary of the key dates and figures you need to know for business planning, payroll, and HR purposes.
2026 UK Calendar Summary
- Total calendar days: 365
- Total weekdays (Mon-Fri): 261
- Weekend days (Sat-Sun): 104
- Bank holidays (England & Wales): 8
- Working days (England & Wales): 253
- Working days (Scotland): 252
- Working days (Northern Ireland): 251
Notable 2026 Bank Holiday Changes
In 2026, Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday, so the substitute bank holiday is observed on Monday 28 December. Easter is relatively early, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April. This means April sees a short working week at the start of the month rather than mid-to-late April as in some years.
Understanding UK Working Days
What Counts as a Working Day?
In the UK, a working day (or business day) is typically Monday to Friday, excluding public bank holidays. This is the standard used for:
- Employment notice periods and contracts
- Legal deadlines and court proceedings
- Bank transfers and financial transactions
- Delivery estimates and project timelines
- Invoice payment terms (e.g., "Net 30 working days")
UK Working Days Statistics for 2026
253
Working Days (England)
252
Working Days (Scotland)
104
Weekend Days
8-10
Bank Holidays
Monthly Working Days 2026 (England & Wales)
| Month | Working Days | Bank Holidays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 1 (New Year's Day, Thu 1 Jan) | Starts on Thursday |
| February | 20 | 0 | No bank holidays |
| March | 22 | 0 | No bank holidays |
| April | 20 | 2 (Good Friday 3rd, Easter Monday 6th) | Easter falls early in 2026 |
| May | 19 | 2 (4 May + 25 May) | Early May + Spring bank holidays |
| June | 22 | 0 | No bank holidays |
| July | 23 | 0 | Most working days |
| August | 20 | 1 (Summer bank holiday, Mon 31 Aug) | Last Monday of August |
| September | 22 | 0 | No bank holidays |
| October | 22 | 0 | No bank holidays |
| November | 21 | 0 | No bank holidays |
| December | 21 | 2 (Christmas Day 25th + Boxing Day substitute 28th) | Boxing Day observed Mon 28 Dec |
Total 2026: 253 working days | 261 weekdays | 104 weekend days | 8 bank holidays (England & Wales)
UK Statutory Notice Periods
Understanding minimum legal requirements for employment notice in the UK.
Important: Statutory vs Contractual Notice
Statutory notice is the legal minimum set by UK employment law. Your contract may require longer notice periods. Always check your employment contract, as the longer period applies.
Employee Notice to Employer
| Length of Service | Minimum Notice | Working Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month to 2 years | 1 week | ~5 working days |
| 2+ years | 1 week (same) | ~5 working days |
Employer Notice to Employee
| Length of Service | Minimum Notice | Working Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month to 2 years | 1 week | ~5 working days |
| 2-3 years | 2 weeks | ~10 working days |
| 3-4 years | 3 weeks | ~15 working days |
| 4-5 years | 4 weeks | ~20 working days |
| 5+ years | 1 week per year (max 12) | ~5-60 working days |
Common Contractual Notice Periods
- Entry-level roles: 1-2 weeks
- Professional roles: 1 month (most common)
- Senior positions: 3 months
- Executive/Director: 6-12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UK bank holidays are there in 2026?
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (Thu 1 Jan), Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr), Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), Early May Bank Holiday (Mon 4 May), Spring Bank Holiday (Mon 25 May), Summer Bank Holiday (Mon 31 Aug), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec), and Boxing Day substitute (Mon 28 Dec, as 26 December falls on a Saturday). Scotland has 9 bank holidays with an additional day on 2 January and St Andrew's Day. Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays including St Patrick's Day (17 Mar) and the Battle of the Boyne (13 Jul).
How do I calculate notice period working days?
UK statutory notice periods are typically calculated in weeks, not working days. However, many employment contracts specify notice in working days or calendar days. To calculate your notice end date, use our "Add Working Days" calculator with your notice start date. For example, 1 month contractual notice is approximately 20 working days, though some contracts may specify 30 calendar days instead.
Do legal deadlines use working days or calendar days?
It depends on the specific deadline. Employment tribunal claims must be filed within 3 months less one day (calendar days) from the event. Court deadlines often use "clear days" which excludes weekends. Small claims court responses are typically 14 calendar days. HMRC deadlines usually use calendar days. Always check the specific requirements for your situation.
How many working days are in 2026 UK?
In 2026, the UK has 253 working days in England and Wales (365 minus 104 weekend days minus 8 bank holidays). Scotland has 252 working days due to additional bank holidays, and Northern Ireland has 251 with 10 bank holidays. After accounting for the typical 28 days annual leave entitlement, most full-time employees will work around 225 days in 2026. The months with the most working days are July (23 days) and June, March, September, and October (22 days each).
Is a half-day counted as a working day?
For most purposes, a day is either a working day or it isn't - there's no "half working day" concept in UK law. However, for annual leave calculations, many employers allow half-day leave bookings. When calculating notice periods or deadlines, partial days are typically rounded to full days. If your start date is mid-day, the whole day is usually counted or excluded depending on the context.
Do different UK regions have different bank holidays?
Yes, UK bank holidays vary by region. England and Wales share the same 8 holidays. Scotland has 9 holidays with 2 January and St Andrew's Day as additions (but no Easter Monday). Northern Ireland has 10 holidays including St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne. Our calculator lets you select your region for accurate results.
What's the difference between business days and working days?
In the UK, "business days" and "working days" are generally used interchangeably to mean Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays. However, some industries have specific definitions. Banks may have different "banking days." International transactions might use different country's bank holidays. For UK employment and legal purposes, assume Monday-Friday excluding UK public holidays.
Can bank holidays be substituted?
Yes, when a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a "substitute day" is given on the following Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is also a holiday). In 2026, Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday, so the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December. Our calculator automatically accounts for these substitutions using official government data.
How many weekdays are in 2026?
There are 261 weekdays (Monday to Friday) in 2026. This is the total number before subtracting bank holidays. After removing the 8 England and Wales bank holidays that fall on weekdays, there are 253 actual working days. The 261 weekdays are spread across the year, with months ranging from 19 working days (May, with 2 bank holidays) to 23 working days (July).
When is Easter 2026 in the UK?
In 2026, Easter falls relatively early. Good Friday is 3 April and Easter Monday is 6 April. Both are bank holidays across all UK regions (except Scotland does not observe Easter Monday as a bank holiday). This means April 2026 has 20 working days in England and Wales. Easter dates change each year as they are calculated based on the lunar calendar.
Which month has the most working days in 2026?
July 2026 has the most working days at 23, as it has no bank holidays and 23 weekdays. Several months tie for second place with 22 working days: March, June, September, and October. The month with the fewest working days is May with just 19, due to having both the Early May Bank Holiday (4 May) and the Spring Bank Holiday (25 May).