How many working days are there in a year?
There are 253 working days in 2026 in England and Wales: the year’s 261 weekdays less 8 bank holidays. Scotland has 251 and Northern Ireland 251. In 2027 England and Wales has 253.
Working days in each year
| Year | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 253 (261 weekdays, 8 bank holidays) | 252 (261 weekdays, 9 bank holidays) | 251 (261 weekdays, 10 bank holidays) |
| 2026 | 253 (261 weekdays, 8 bank holidays) | 251 (261 weekdays, 10 bank holidays) | 251 (261 weekdays, 10 bank holidays) |
| 2027 | 253 (261 weekdays, 8 bank holidays) | 252 (261 weekdays, 9 bank holidays) | 251 (261 weekdays, 10 bank holidays) |
| 2028 | 252 (260 weekdays, 8 bank holidays) | 251 (260 weekdays, 9 bank holidays) | 250 (260 weekdays, 10 bank holidays) |
Monday to Friday, less the bank holidays of each nation that fall on a weekday. Bank holidays from GOV.UK, read 15 October 2026. Business days are counted the same way.
Working days in each month of 2026
| Month | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 20 | 21 |
| February | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| March | 22 | 22 | 21 |
| April | 20 | 21 | 20 |
| May | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| June | 22 | 21 | 22 |
| July | 23 | 23 | 22 |
| August | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| September | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| October | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| November | 21 | 20 | 21 |
| December | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Any other two dates: the working days calculator counts the working days between them, or finds the date a number of working days away.
Working days after holiday
Most workers on a five-day week are entitled to at least 28 days’ paid holiday a year, and an employer can choose to include bank holidays in those 28 (GOV.UK). So in 2026, in England and Wales:
- 233 days worked if the bank holidays are part of your 28 days (261 weekdays less 28).
- 225 days worked if your 28 days come on top of the bank holidays (253 working days less 28).
At 7.5 hours a day, 233 days is 1,747.5 working hours; at 8 hours, 1,864.
Days are not hours, though. A week that is two-thirds meetings leaves far fewer hours for the work itself. Radar counts the free hours in your calendar before each deadline, which we call calendar runway.
Questions
How many working days are there in 2026?
253 in England and Wales: 261 weekdays less 8 bank holidays. Scotland has 251 and Northern Ireland 251.
How many working days are there in 2027?
253 in England and Wales: 261 weekdays less 8 bank holidays. Scotland 252 and Northern Ireland 251.
How many business days are in a year?
The same as working days: Monday to Friday less bank holidays, so 253 in 2026 in England and Wales.
How many working days are there in a month?
Between 19 and 23 in 2026 in England and Wales, about 21 on average. The table above gives each month.
How many days do you work in a year after holidays?
On a five-day week with the statutory minimum of 28 days’ paid holiday, 233 in 2026 if your employer counts bank holidays in the 28, or 225 if they come on top. (GOV.UK)
More: UK bank holidays · working days calculator · 2027 calendar
Count the hours, not just the days
Radar checks your calendar for the free hours before every deadline in the next ninety days, and books the time when you press.