Ever find yourself staring at a calendar, trying to map out a big project? Or maybe you’re sorting out payroll.

You need to know the number of workdays ahead. So you ask a simple question.

How many business days in a year? Specifically for 2025.

It sounds like a question with one, clean answer. But it’s actually a bit of a rabbit hole.

The number you end up with depends a lot on where you are and who you work for. It’s not just one number.

Let’s try to figure this thing out together. It’s more than just simple math.

The Simple Math: Where We All Start

Okay so let’s get a baseline number. This is the easy part of the whole thing.

The year 2025 is not a leap year. This means we have 365 days to work with from the get-go.

A year generally has 52 full weeks. And every one of those weeks has a Saturday and a Sunday.

So, 52 weeks multiplied by 2 weekend days gives you 104 weekend days. Normally.

You take your total days, 365, and subtract those 104 weekend days.

The number you get is 261. This is our starting point. 261 potential workdays.

But nobody really works 261 days a year, do they? That’s because of holidays.

The Big Wrinkle: Federal Holidays in 2025

This is where that simple number starts to get a lot more realistic. And complicated.

The United States government recognizes a set list of federal holidays. Most businesses close on these days.

When a holiday falls on a weekend the day off is normally observed on the closest weekday.

For 2025, the list of federal holidays is pretty standard. There are 11 of them that will affect the work week.

Here’s the rundown of what to expect for days off in 2025:

New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday: Monday, January 20
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day): Monday, February 17
Memorial Day: Monday, May 26
Juneteenth National Independence Day: Thursday, June 19
Independence Day: Friday, July 4
Labor Day: Monday, September 1
Columbus Day: Monday, October 13
Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27
Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25

So now we have 11 days to subtract from our original number.

You take that 261 we figured out before. You subtract these 11 federal holidays.

Your new total is 250 business days. This is a much more common answer for 2025.

For many office jobs in the U.S. this is the magic number. It is considered to be the standard.

But Hold On, It’s Not That Simple

You’d think we’d be done there, but nope. The real world has more curveballs.

Your personal number of workdays could be different for a bunch of reasons.

The 250 number is a great guideline. But it’s not a universal rule for everyone.

Let’s look at what else can change the final count of your working days.

State and Local Holidays Are a Thing

Did you know some states have their own official holidays? It’s true.

For example, Massachusetts and Maine celebrate Patriots’ Day in April. It’s a big deal there.

California and some other states recognize Cesar Chavez Day in March.

These aren’t on the federal list. So if you live in one of these states your business day count goes down again.

You have to check your own state’s government website to see what days they officially close for.

Your Industry Changes Everything

The whole Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 schedule is not for everybody.

Think about people who work in retail stores. Or hospitals. Or restaurants.

Their “business days” might include Saturday and Sunday. They might get a Tuesday off instead.

For them, the calculation of 365 minus 104 weekend days is completely wrong.

They have to look at their specific work schedule, not a standard calendar. The idea of a business day is just different.

Company Policy Is The Final Boss

This is probably the biggest factor of all. What does your specific company do?

The federal government sets the minimum. But many companies give more days off.

What about the day after Thanksgiving? Lots of offices close, but it’s not a federal holiday.

Some companies might close for a full week between Christmas and New Year’s. It is a common practice.

Then you have floating holidays. Days you can take off whenever you want for personal reasons.

Your company’s own holiday calendar, usually in an employee handbook, is the real source of truth for you.

How to Figure Out Your Actual Number

So, we’ve established there isn’t just one answer. It’s personal.

How do you get the number of business days for your own life and planning?

First, start with that baseline of 261 days for 2025. That’s a solid foundation.

Next, find the list of your company’s paid holidays. It’s probably on the HR portal or in a welcome packet.

Subtract all of those company holidays from 261. This will get you very close.

If you want to be super precise, look up your state and city holidays too. Subtract any that your company also observes.

Or you can use an online business day calculator. They are pretty handy for a quick answer.

Just make sure it lets you account for the specific holidays you get off.

The point is to customize the math for your own situation. Don’t just rely on a generic number you find online.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. So, what is the exact number of business days in 2025?

There isn’t one exact number for everyone. It starts at 261 (365 days minus 104 weekend days). If you subtract the 11 U.S. federal holidays, you get 250. But your specific number will change based on your state, industry, and company holiday schedule.

2. Is 2025 a leap year?

No, 2025 is not a leap year. It has the standard 365 days, so February has 28 days. The next leap year with 366 days is 2024, and after that, it will be 2028.

3. How do I calculate the working days for my specific project?

The best way is to get a calendar. Count the total number of weekdays (Monday-Friday) between your start and end dates. Then, find a list of your company’s holidays and subtract any that fall within that period. That will give you your true project timeline.

4. What’s the difference between “business days” and “working days”?

People often use them to mean the same thing: Monday through Friday, minus holidays. “Business days” typically refers to the days a business is open. “Working days” can be more personal, referring to the days a specific person is scheduled to work, which might include weekends.

5. How many business hours are in 2025?

If we use the 250 business day number and assume a standard 8-hour workday, you get 2,000 business hours in 2025 (250 days x 8 hours). Again, this can change based on your actual number of days off and your daily work hours.

Key Takeaways

Alright, that was a lot of back and forth. If you just want the quick and dirty summary, here it is.

The Starting Point: 2025 has 365 days. Take away 104 weekend days, and you’re left with a baseline of 261 business days.
The Federal Standard: The U.S. has 11 federal holidays in 2025. Subtracting these from the baseline gives you a more common number: 250 business days.
It Gets Personal: This number changes! State holidays, industry norms (like retail or healthcare), and your company’s specific holiday calendar can all lower the total.
Check Your Handbook: The most accurate way to find your number of working days is to look at your own company’s official holiday calendar. That is the only one that truly matters for your schedule.

So there you have it. The answer to “how many business days in a year” is “it depends.” It’s a fuzzy number that you have to adjust for your own world. But now, at least you know how to build your own, correct answer for 2025.