Days Between Dates
Count the days between two dates, with the option to include the end day and a breakdown into weeks and working days.
How it works
The count walks the calendar day by day, so leap years and month lengths take care of themselves. No multiplication by an average month is involved.
Whether the end day counts is the question people actually get wrong. From Monday to Friday is four days if you are counting nights in a hotel, and five if you are counting days worked. The toggle exists because both readings are correct in their own context.
The same span is also shown in weeks and in working days, since 'how many days' is often really a question about how many of them you can use.
The formula
Days
days = calendar days from start to end
Inclusive count
days + 1, when the end day counts too
Weeks
weeks = days ÷ 7
Worked examples
| Scenario | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2024 | Leap year | 365 days (366 inclusive) |
| Monday to Friday | Exclusive count | 4 days — 5 if inclusive |
| Today to a date next month | Calendar walk | Exact day count |
When you'd use it
- Counting down to a deadline or an event
- Working out a hotel or rental stay
- Checking how long something has been running
- Any form asking for a number of days
Common questions
Should I include the end day?
It depends what you are counting. Hotel nights and interest periods exclude it; days worked, days of leave and event durations usually include it. Getting this wrong is an off-by-one in either direction.
How is this different from the date difference calculator?
This one answers with a single number of days. The date difference calculator also breaks the span into years, months and weeks. Same underlying count, different presentation.
Does it count leap days?
Yes. The count walks actual dates, so 29 February is included whenever the span crosses it.