How to use the Date Difference Calculator
- Pick a start date and an end date.
- Choose whether to include the end date in the count.
- Read the total days, the weekday count and the span in years, months and days.
Should you count the end date?
It depends on what you're counting. From 1 October to 30 October is 29 days between the dates, but if you're on leave on both of those days you're away for 30 days. Interest, due dates and durations usually exclude the end date; leave, attendance and event days usually include it.
| End date excluded | End date included | |
|---|---|---|
| Total days | 29 | 30 |
| Weekdays (Mon–Fri) | 21 | 22 |
Working days
The weekday count includes Monday to Friday and excludes Saturdays and Sundays. Public holidays differ by state and organisation, so subtract them yourself. For notice periods and joining dates, the Notice Period Calculator works from your last working day.
Months aren't all the same length
The years-months-days figure counts whole calendar months first, then the remaining days, the same way the Age Calculator does. So 31 January to 28 February is one month (the end of February), not 28 days short of one.
Worked example
1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026
- End date excluded
- 52 full weeks
364 days, of which 260 are weekdays
Important notes
- If the end date is before the start date, the dates are swapped and the result is the same span.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are there between two dates?
Enter both dates above. By default the start date is counted and the end date isn't, which matches how durations and interest periods are measured.
Does the calculator handle leap years?
Yes. It uses real calendar dates, so 29 February is counted in leap years.
Can it exclude public holidays?
No — holidays vary by state and employer. It excludes weekends only; subtract your holidays from the weekday count.