Country preset guide
Add business days UK
Want to add business days UK and avoid surprises from UK bank holidays? This guide shows how to exclude weekends and holidays with the UK preset, plus examples around Easter and Christmas so your working days UK timelines stay clear.
Published: December 28, 2025 · Updated: December 28, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only; not legal or financial advice.
- Examples are illustrative and simplified.
- Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
- Preset holiday lists can be static and may not cover regional observances.
- See the Privacy Policy; do not share personal data.
Quick answer: add business days UK
- UK business days usually mean Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
- Bank holidays can move deadlines by several calendar days.
- Regional differences exist; note if you mean England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
UK bank holidays and why they matter
UK bank holidays cluster around Easter, early and late May, late August, and Christmas. When a holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day often appears on the Monday. These exclusions can shift working days UK timelines, so always check the holiday year and apply the preset before counting.
Regional note: England and Wales vs Scotland vs Northern Ireland
Some holidays differ by nation. Scotland and Northern Ireland observe additional days not seen in England and Wales. If your preset does not cover the region you need, add custom holidays for local observances to exclude weekends and holidays accurately.
Worked examples
Example A: Around Easter
Inputs: start the Monday before Easter weekend, add 10 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, UK bank holidays on Friday and Monday.
Result: lands the Wednesday of the second week after Easter.
Example B: Christmas and Boxing Day
Inputs: start 20 December, add 5 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, holidays on 25 and 26 December.
Result: early in the first week of January.
Example C: Subtracting near a bank holiday Monday
Inputs: deadline on a bank holiday Monday, subtract 4 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, holiday on Monday.
Result: the previous Monday.
How to set the UK preset in the calculator
- Choose United Kingdom as the holiday preset.
- Select the correct holiday year.
- Confirm the weekend pattern (usually Saturday–Sunday).
- Add custom holidays for regional closures if needed.
Use the business day calculator and select the UK preset before counting.
Common mistakes
- Picking the wrong holiday year.
- Assuming all UK regions share the same holidays.
- Forgetting substitute days when holidays fall on weekends.
- Not adding company closure days.
- Mixing up inclusive counting with weekend and holiday rules.
- Leaving the wrong weekend pattern selected.
FAQ
What counts as a business day in the UK?
Monday to Friday when bank holidays are excluded.
Are Saturdays business days in the UK?
No. Saturday and Sunday are weekend days.
Do UK bank holidays count as business days?
No. They are excluded when you use the UK preset or add them manually.
Do Scotland and Northern Ireland have different bank holidays?
Yes. Add custom holidays if your region differs from the preset.
What if my start date is a bank holiday?
The calculation moves to the next business day unless you pick another rule.
Can I subtract business days using the UK preset?
Yes. Subtract mode honours the same weekends and bank holidays.
Why did my date change when I selected a different year?
Bank holiday dates vary by year; pick the correct year before counting.
Is this legal or financial advice?
No. This page is educational. Check critical timelines with your advisor.
Calculate business days now
Select the UK preset, set weekends and holidays, and get your adjusted date in seconds.