Working Days Calculator
Count the working days between two dates. Weekends are skipped, and South African public holidays too, including Sunday holidays moved to Monday.
About this tool
Counts Monday to Friday, with both dates included. South African public holidays follow the Public Holidays Act, including the rule that a holiday on a Sunday is observed on the Monday. One-off holidays the President declares, such as election days, are not included.
Count the working days between two dates for a notice period, a project plan, a delivery promise or a leave request. The calculator counts Monday to Friday, skips South African public holidays if you want it to, and lists the holidays it skipped so you can check them.
How to use the Working Days Calculator
- Choose the start date and the end date. Both dates are counted.
- Choose whether to skip South African public holidays.
- Read the number of working days, plus the calendar days, weekend days and holidays that fell on weekdays.
- Check the list of holidays under the results, especially around Easter and December.
Working days in December 2026
From 1 to 31 December 2026 there are 31 calendar days. 8 of them are Saturdays and Sundays, and 2 public holidays fall on weekdays: the Day of Reconciliation on Wednesday 16 December and Christmas Day on Friday 25 December. The Day of Goodwill (26 December) is a Saturday, so it doesn’t take a working day. That leaves 31 − 8 − 2 = 21 working days.
Working days per year in South Africa
Monday to Friday, minus public holidays that fall on a weekday, worked out with this calculator.
| Year | Weekdays | Working days after public holidays |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 261 | 250 |
| 2027 | 261 | 251 |
| 2028 | 260 | 250 |
| 2029 | 261 | 250 |
| 2030 | 261 | 250 |
South African public holidays and the Sunday rule
South Africa has 12 public holidays a year under the Public Holidays Act: New Year’s Day, Human Rights Day (21 March), Good Friday, Family Day (the Monday after Easter), Freedom Day (27 April), Workers’ Day (1 May), Youth Day (16 June), National Women’s Day (9 August), Heritage Day (24 September), the Day of Reconciliation (16 December), Christmas Day and the Day of Goodwill (26 December). When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday after it is also a public holiday, so in 2026 Monday 10 August is off because Women’s Day is a Sunday. A holiday that falls on a Saturday does not move. Easter moves every year, so Good Friday and Family Day change date.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that both the start and end dates are counted here. If your notice period starts the day after you resign, use that day as the start date.
- Missing a Sunday holiday that moves to Monday, such as Human Rights Day on Monday 22 March 2027.
- Assuming every employer closes on public holidays. Shops, hospitals and some other employers work them, so check your own contract.
- Forgetting once-off holidays. The President can declare extra holidays, for example on election days. This calculator includes them once they are gazetted, such as Wednesday 4 November 2026 for the local government elections.
Frequently asked questions
Are both dates included?
Yes. 1 December to 31 December counts all 31 days. To leave out the first day, start a day later.
How many working days are in 2026 in South Africa?
250, after taking off the 11 public holidays that fall on weekdays, including the 4 November local government elections. Without public holidays there are 261 weekdays.
What happens when a public holiday falls on a Sunday?
The following Monday is also a public holiday, under section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act. A holiday on a Saturday is not moved.
Does it include school holidays, provincial or other countries’ holidays?
No. It covers national public holidays only. School terms and company shutdowns are different for each school or employer. For other countries, choose “Don’t skip public holidays” and subtract your own holidays.