How long is 3 business days?
Three business days usually means three Monday-through-Friday working days, not counting Saturday or Sunday. Public holidays may also be excluded, depending on the organization or deadline.
If the starting day itself is not counted, the usual results are:
| Starting day | 3 business days later |
|---|---|
| Monday | Thursday |
| Tuesday | Friday |
| Wednesday | Monday |
| Thursday | Tuesday |
| Friday | Wednesday |
These examples assume there are no public holidays and that the starting day does not count as Day 1.
Do weekends count as business days?
Usually, no. Saturday and Sunday are generally excluded. That means 3 business days may span 5 calendar days when a weekend falls in the middle.
For example, if you start on Friday, the next three business days are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Do holidays count as business days?
Often they do not. Banks, government agencies, shipping companies, employers, and contracts may exclude recognized holidays. If a deadline is important, check the rule used by the organization that set it.
Is 3 business days the same as 72 hours?
No. Three business days and 72 hours are not the same thing. Seventy-two hours is a continuous time period that includes nights and weekends. Business days count working days instead.
Does the starting day count?
Often the starting day does not count when someone says “3 business days from today.” Counting usually begins with the next business day. However, wording and industry rules can differ, so confirm important deadlines.
Quick examples
- 3 business days from Monday: usually Thursday.
- 3 business days from Wednesday: usually Monday.
- 3 business days from Friday: usually Wednesday.
For a specific pair of dates, use the calculator above. For a fuller explanation, see How Long Is 3 Business Days?
What counts as a business day?
This calculator treats Monday through Friday as business days and includes both endpoints when they are weekdays.
Public holidays are not removed
Holiday calendars differ by country, state, employer, and institution. This simple version does not subtract public holidays, so adjust the result when a holiday falls inside the range.