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How to calculate the days between two dates in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Date arithmeticExcel & Google Sheets
=B2-A2Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1Enter your start date in column A (e.g., A2) and your end date in column B (e.g., B2), both formatted as dates.
- 2In an empty cell, enter =B2-A2.
- 3If the result appears as a date, format the cell as a Number: right-click, Format Cells, Number.
- 4The result is the number of calendar days between the two dates.
- 5Alternatively, use the DAYS function: =DAYS(B2,A2) which is slightly more explicit and readable.
Tips
- Always ensure both cells are formatted as dates, not text. If subtraction gives a wrong number, use DATEVALUE() to convert text dates first.
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Frequently asked
Should I use =B2-A2 or =DAYS(B2,A2)?
Both return the same result. Simple subtraction is universally supported; DAYS() makes the intent clearer and is available in Excel 2013+ and all Google Sheets versions.
How do I get an absolute (positive) number of days regardless of order?
Wrap with ABS: =ABS(B2-A2) to ensure a positive result even if the start date is later than the end date.
More on Date arithmetic
See all →Reference
TODAY / DATEDIF
Work with the current date and measure the gap between two dates.
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Turn a birth date into an age in years with DATEDIF and TODAY. Works the same in Excel and Google Sheets.
ReferenceDATEDIF
Calculates the difference between two dates in years, months, or days using a unit code string.
How-toHow to calculate days between two dates
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How-toHow to add months to a date
Shift a date forward or back by a number of months with EDATE — it handles month lengths correctly. Works in both apps.
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