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How to count weekend days between two dates in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=B2-A2+1-NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2)Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1Calculate total days in the period: =B2-A2+1.
- 2Subtract NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2) to get the weekend-day count.
- 3The combined formula is: =B2-A2+1-NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2).
- 4Alternatively, use SUMPRODUCT: =SUMPRODUCT((WEEKDAY(ROW(INDIRECT(A2&":"&B2)),2)>=6)*1) — this counts every Saturday and Sunday directly.
- 5Ensure A2 and B2 contain date values (not text) for accurate results.
Tips
- The subtraction method is simpler and does not require an array formula.
- WEEKDAY returns 6 for Saturday and 7 for Sunday when the second argument is 2.
- If holidays also fall on weekends, this formula still counts them — adjust NETWORKDAYS with a holiday list if that matters.
- For periods with custom weekends, use NETWORKDAYS.INTL instead of NETWORKDAYS.
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Frequently asked
Why is my count off by one?
The +1 in B2-A2+1 is needed to include the start date. Omitting it gives the day count exclusive of the start date.
Does this formula count holidays on weekends?
Yes. The simple subtraction method counts all non-weekday days. If you want to exclude holidays from the weekend count, apply additional logic.