How to calculate the days between two dates
Here it is with your numbers:
- Count the days from November 9, 2026 up to December 25, 2026: 46 days.
- Split it into weeks: 46 ÷ 7 gives 6 weeks and 4 days.
- Take out the weekends: 12 days fall on a Saturday or Sunday, which leaves 34 weekdays.
It means 46 days (6 weeks, 4 days) lie between the dates, and 34 of them are weekdays (Monday to Friday, with public holidays not taken out).
By default the start date counts and the end date does not, like a plain subtraction. If you need both days counted, for example a booking from the 1st to the 3rd that covers 3 days, choose “Include the last day”.
Source Microsoft Support · Calculate the difference between two dates ↗
Days between the dates in other units
| Unit | Between your dates |
|---|---|
| Days | 46 |
| Weeks | 6 weeks, 4 days |
| Weekdays (Mon–Fri) | 34 |
| Weekend days | 12 |
| Years, months, days | 1 month and 16 days |
Weekdays are Monday to Friday. Public holidays are not taken out, because they differ by country, state and employer.
Source Microsoft Support · NETWORKDAYS function ↗
Days between dates examples
| From | To | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024 | January 1, 2025 | 366 days (a leap year) |
| January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2026 | 365 days |
| February 28, 2000 | March 1, 2000 | 2 days (2000 is a leap year) |
| February 28, 1900 | March 1, 1900 | 1 day (1900 is not) |
Source U.S. Naval Observatory · Leap years ↗
Calculate days between dates in Excel or Google Sheets
Put the start date in A1 and the end date in B1.
| To find | Formula |
|---|---|
| Days between | =DATEDIF(A1,B1,"d") |
| Weekdays, both days counted | =NETWORKDAYS(A1,B1) |
FAQs
How many days are there between two dates?
Count from the start date up to the end date, or subtract the earlier date from the later one. From October 1 to December 25, 2026 there are 85 days. Choose “Include the last day” to count both ends, which gives 86.
Source Microsoft Support · Calculate the difference between two dates ↗
How many business days are there between two dates?
Take out the Saturdays and Sundays. Counting from October 1 up to December 25, 2026 leaves 61 weekdays. This page does not remove public holidays; Excel’s NETWORKDAYS removes weekends and any holidays you list.
How many calendar days are there between two dates?
Calendar days count every day, weekends included, and leap days too: January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025 is 366 days. Leap years are those divisible by 4, except centurial years not divisible by 400.
How do you calculate the days between two dates in Excel?
Put the dates in A1 and B1 and use =DATEDIF(A1,B1,"d"), which gives the number of full days between them.
Source Microsoft Support · Calculate the difference between two dates ↗
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Calculate the difference between two dates
- Microsoft Support: NETWORKDAYS function
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Leap years