A typical month has between 20 and 23 working days, depending on how weekends and public holidays fall. The exact count varies each year.
Monthly Working Day Totals
In a standard year with no holidays, the working day counts are:
- Months with 31 days: 22-23 working days
- Months with 30 days: 21-22 working days
- February: 20 working days (20-21 in leap years)
Use our Working Days in Month Calculator to see the exact count for any month, including holidays for your country.
Why Working Day Counts Matter
Accurate working day counts are essential for:
- Payroll: Calculating daily rates, overtime, and part-month pay
- Project planning: Estimating realistic timelines
- Contracts: Pricing work by the day or week
- Capacity planning: Knowing available team hours
What Reduces Working Days
Several factors can reduce the working days in a month:
- Public holidays: These vary by country (US has about 11 federal holidays, UK has 8 bank holidays)
- Weekend position: A month starting on Saturday loses working days early
- Leap years: February gains one potential working day
Country Differences
Public holidays significantly affect working day totals:
- UK: 8 bank holidays reduce annual working days to about 252
- US: 11 federal holidays bring the total to about 251
- Canada: Varies by province (9-12 statutory holidays)
- Australia: 8-10 public holidays depending on state
Planning Tip
When estimating project timelines, use actual working days rather than calendar days. A "one month" project might have anywhere from 19 to 23 working days depending on holidays and weekend positions.
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