UK preset guide
Business days between dates UK
Business days between dates UK depend on bank holidays and your weekend pattern. This guide covers Easter and Christmas examples, regional differences, and how to set the UK preset plus custom dates so the business day counter matches the region you are modelling.
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.
- Read the Privacy Policy; do not share personal data.
Quick answer: business days between dates UK
- UK business days usually mean Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
- Easter and Christmas periods can remove several days and shift deadlines.
- Regions differ; add custom holidays for Scotland or Northern Ireland if needed.
UK bank holidays and why they matter
Bank holidays such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, and the Christmas period are non-working days for many organisations. They can push deadlines into the following week, so always load the correct year before you count workdays between dates.
Regional note
England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have differences in observed days. Treat the UK preset as a starting point and add custom holidays for the region you are modelling to avoid missed closures.
Worked examples
Example A: Easter span
Range covers Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Result: drops two extra days when excluded.
Example B: Christmas week
Range 22–29 Dec, include both, weekend Sat–Sun.
Result: Christmas and Boxing Day reduce totals by 2.
Example C: Add regional day
Add a Scotland-only holiday to the preset.
Result: drops one more day for Scotland counts.
How to use the UK preset in the tool
- Open the business day calculator.
- Select the UK preset and correct year.
- Confirm weekend pattern (usually Sat–Sun).
- Add regional or company custom holidays.
- Set inclusion mode, run the counter, and share assumptions.
Try it here: business day calculator.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all UK regions share the same holidays.
- Forgetting Easter dates move each year.
- Leaving company shutdown days out of the list.
- Switching inclusion mode mid-way without noting it.
- Mixing calendar day totals with business day reports.
FAQ
What counts as business days between dates in the UK?
Monday to Friday when weekend days and selected bank holidays are excluded.
Do UK bank holidays change counts?
Yes. Easter and Christmas periods can remove multiple days.
Do regions share the same holidays?
No. Add regional holidays for Scotland or Northern Ireland as needed.
Can I add company shutdown days?
Yes. Add custom holidays for closure periods.
Should I change the weekend pattern?
Keep Sat–Sun unless your organisation works different weekends.
Is this guaranteed?
No. Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
Is this legal or financial advice?
No. This is educational. Confirm locally before relying on counts.
Calculate business days now
Load the UK preset, add regional holidays, set inclusion mode, and get your workday total.