Working Days
How Many Working Days Are There in a Year in the UK?
The number of working days in a UK year depends on which weekday the year starts on and how many bank holidays fall on weekdays. Here are the exact figures, and how to count them yourself.
Time-Clocking — General guidance with linked official sources
Quick answer
In 2026 there are 261 weekdays. Take off the 8 England & Wales bank holidays and you get 253 working days for a Monday–Friday worker. Scotland has 252 and Northern Ireland 251, because they have more bank holidays.
Working Days Calculator
Result
- Working days
- 253
- Weekdays (Mon–Fri)
- 261
- Bank holidays on weekdays
- 8
- Calendar days
- 365
261 weekdays − 8 bank holidays = 253 working days. Both dates are included.
Bank holidays excluded
- Thu, 1 Jan 2026
- Fri, 3 Apr 2026
- Mon, 6 Apr 2026
- Mon, 4 May 2026
- Mon, 25 May 2026
- Mon, 31 Aug 2026
- Fri, 25 Dec 2026
- Mon, 28 Dec 2026
Working days by year
| Year | Weekdays | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 261 | 253 | 252 | 251 |
| 2026 | 261 | 253 | 252 | 251 |
| 2027 | 261 | 253 | 252 | 251 |
Figures assume a Monday–Friday week and use the bank holidays published on GOV.UK, including substitute days. Check any range with the working days calculator.
How to calculate working days
- Count the weekdays: a 365-day year is 52 weeks (260 weekdays) plus one extra day. If that extra day is a weekday, there are 261.
- List the bank holidays for your nation and remove those that fall Monday–Friday (substitute days always do).
- Subtract your paid annual leave if you want the days you actually work.
Example: a full-time employee in England in 2026
261 weekdays − 8 bank holidays = 253 days. With 20 days' holiday on top of bank holidays (28 in total, the statutory minimum), that's 233 days actually at work.
UK-specific points
- Employers don't have to give bank holidays off; whether they are paid days off depends on the contract.
- Statutory leave for a five-day worker is 28 days and can include bank holidays.
- Part-time and shift workers should count only the days they normally work.
To turn days into hours, see how many working hours are in a year.
Frequently asked questions
How many working days are there in 2026 in the UK?
253 in England & Wales, 252 in Scotland and 251 in Northern Ireland, for a Monday–Friday week.
How many working days are there in a year after holidays?
For a full-time worker on the statutory 28 days including bank holidays: 261 − 28 = 233 days in 2026.
Is it 260 or 261 weekdays a year?
It depends on the year. 2025, 2026 and 2027 each have 261. Leap years starting on a Friday or Saturday can differ.
Sources and references
General information, not legal advice. Check your contract and GOV.UK for your situation.