Guides/Business vs calendar days
Business days vs calendar days
“Within 5 days” can mean five midnights on the calendar or fivebusiness days that skip weekends (and sometimes holidays). Contracts should say which.
Definitions
- Calendar days: every day counts, including Sat/Sun.
- Business days: typically Mon–Fri; holidays depend on the jurisdiction or company calendar.
- Deep dive on spans:business days between dates·calendar days between.
Worked example
- Start Thursday: 3 calendar days later = Sunday; 3 business days later = Tuesday (skip Sat–Sun).
- “Net 30” invoice language is usually calendar days unless stated otherwise — read the fine print.
- Adding days to a start date:add days to a date.
Holidays
Automated counters may ignore local holidays. For payroll or legal deadlines, confirm the holiday calendar your organization uses.