What Is a Business Day?

What Is a Business Day and How Long Is It?

By Catherine Brock – Updated Aug 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM EST

Key Points

Understanding business days helps anticipate fund accessibility and transaction timings.
Shipping and contract deadlines often extend past expected dates due to non-business days.
Stock transactions are processed on business days, affecting immediate buying or selling.

Nothing official happens when the banks are closed, right? That may be why the concept of business days exists. A business day is a weekday that isn't a holiday, so basically, it’s any day your banker is in the office.

Loading paragraph...

An infographic defining and explaining the term "business day." — Image source: The Motley Fool

Loading image...

Loading paragraph...

Shipping

Retailers and shippers commonly quote shipping times in business days. As an example, Priority Mail by the USPS promises delivery in one to three business days. In practice, that means your package could be en route for as long as six calendar days.

Contracts

Contracts may reference calendar days, business days, or both. Florida real estate contracts, for example, specify time frames in calendar days. However, if the time frame ends on a weekend or national holiday, the deadline typically extends to the next business day.

As another example, a business asset purchase agreement might specify a delivery deadline or asset inspection period in business days. If you're a party to a contract, it's critical to interpret those deadlines correctly.

Stock trades

Stocks trade and settle on business days. If you decide on the Saturday before Memorial Day that you need to own Apple, guess what? You can't get it done immediately. You could place the order with your brokerage on Saturday, of course. You'd specify that you want it executed "on the open" or within a certain time frame. Still, the trade won't happen until at least Tuesday.

Once your order is processed, you'll wait two business days for the stock to transfer into your account.

How to Calculate Total Stock Returns

Total returns can help compare the performance of investments that pay different dividend yields.

What Is Conscious Capitalism? A Guide to Purpose-Driven Business

Making money can come with a conscience. These companies are doing well while doing good.

Can You Buy a Stock and Sell It in the Same Day?

Same-day stock trading can subject you to a higher level of regulatory scrutiny -- and financial risk.

What is Day Trading? How Does it Differ From Investing?

Similar to gambling, investors try to profit on market ups and downs. Is it worth it?

Loading hub_pages...

Loading paragraph...

About the Author

Catherine grew up in Southern California wearing a lot of black and trying to perfect the art of sarcasm. Prior to joining The Fool as a contract writer, Catherine was climbing the corporate ladder in marketing roles and dabbling in too many side hustles. When she's not writing, she can be found riding a horse in the country or shopping online for clothes.

XMFCatherineJB

@catherinejbrock

American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Catherine Brock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.