Frequently asked questions
What counts as a business day in the US?
A business day is any weekday (Monday through Friday) that is not a federal holiday. For most legal, financial, and government purposes in the US, there are 11 federal holidays per year. Some contracts or regulations may define business days differently — for example, excluding state holidays or including Saturday.
Do all businesses observe federal holidays?
No — only federal government agencies are required to close on federal holidays. Private employers may or may not observe them, and practices vary by industry. Retail, healthcare, and hospitality often remain open; financial services and government contractors generally close. Check your specific contract or employment agreement.
How are floating holidays like Thanksgiving calculated?
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November each year. MLK Day is the third Monday in January. Presidents' Day is the third Monday in February. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May. Columbus Day is the second Monday in October. This calculator computes the exact observed date for every floating holiday in the relevant year range.
What about state and local holidays?
This calculator only excludes the 11 federal holidays. State holidays (like Patriots' Day in Massachusetts, Cesar Chavez Day in California, or Good Friday in some states) are not included. For state-specific calculations, check your state's official holiday calendar.