Syntax
=DAYS(end_date, start_date)
end_date- The later date.
start_date- The earlier date.
DAYS function in Google Sheets
DAYS returns the number of days between two dates. It gives the same answer as subtracting one date from the other, but the end date comes first, which some people find easier to read.
Practice DAYS
Task 1 of 1
How many days did the first project run, from start to finish? Use DAYS. Answer in D2.
Tip: while typing a formula, click a cell or drag across cells to insert references. Press Enter to check, and Tab to accept a function suggestion.
DAYS examples
Each example below runs against this sample sheet. The results are calculated by the same engine as the practice grid.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Task | Start | Due | Holidays |
| 2 | Kickoff | 1/5/2026 | 1/9/2026 | 1/19/2026 |
| 3 | Design | 1/12/2026 | 2/13/2026 | 2/16/2026 |
| 4 | Build | 2/16/2026 | 4/30/2026 | 5/25/2026 |
| 5 | Launch | 5/4/2026 | 5/29/2026 |
| Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
=DAYS(C3, B3) | 32 | Days from the Design start to its due date. |
=C3-B3 | 32 | Plain subtraction gives the same result. |
=DAYS(B3, C3) | -32 | Swap the arguments and the result turns negative. |
=DAYS("2026-12-25", "2026-01-01") | 358 | Date-like text works too. |
=NETWORKDAYS(B3, C3) | 25 | For working days only, use NETWORKDAYS. |
Tips and common mistakes
- The end date comes first: DAYS(end, start). Reversing them gives a negative number, not an error.
- DAYS doesn't count the start day. Monday to Friday of the same week is 4.
- For whole months or years between dates, use DATEDIF.
Related functions
Learning step by step? DAYS is covered in Lesson 39: Dates: DATE, YEAR, MONTH, DAY & WEEKDAY of the free course.