Free tool
Legal deadline calculator
Count calendar days or business days from a date to find a deadline. Skips weekends and US federal holidays where the rules say to.
- Start date (not counted)
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- Days counted
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- Weekend days skipped
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- Holidays skipped
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Important: a counting aid for general information only, not legal advice. It uses US federal court counting rules and US federal holidays. State courts, local rules, service by mail, court orders and contracts can all change a deadline. Never rely on this calculator alone to meet a deadline: confirm it with a lawyer. Terms of use.
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How legal deadlines are counted
Most US courts count time the same basic way:
- Leave out the day the clock starts (the day you were served, the order was made, and so on).
- Count every day after it, including weekends and holidays, for deadlines stated in days.
- If the last day is a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
- Some rules count only business or court days. Contracts can set their own rules.
Common questions
How do you count days for a legal deadline?
Under the US federal rules (FRCP 6(a)), you leave out the day of the event that starts the clock, count every following day including weekends and holidays, and include the last day. If the last day falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that is not. Many states follow similar rules, but not all.
What is the difference between calendar days and business days?
Calendar days count every day, including weekends and holidays. Business days (sometimes called court days) skip Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. Check which one your rule, contract or court order uses.
Which holidays does this calculator skip?
The 11 US federal holidays, plus Inauguration Day every four years (a legal holiday under the federal court rules): New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, moved to the Friday or Monday when they fall on a weekend. State courts may close on other days too.
Do I get extra days if papers were served by mail?
Sometimes. In US federal court, 3 extra days are added when service is by mail or some other methods (FRCP 6(d)). State rules vary. Add those days yourself if they apply.
Can I rely on this for a court filing?
Use it as a check, not as the final word. Court rules, local rules, judges' orders and contracts can change how a deadline is counted. If a deadline matters, confirm it with a lawyer.
Does this work for countries outside the USA?
The calendar and business-day counts work anywhere if you turn off US holidays, but the counting rules and public holidays differ by country. A local lawyer can confirm the rule that applies.
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