Business Days for Invoice Payment Terms
Updated: May 2026
Payment terms like Net-30 and Net-60 define when an invoice is due. Whether those days are calendar days or business days changes the actual deadline by one to two weeks — a distinction that matters enormously for cash flow and late payment penalties.
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Open the Business Days Calculator →Calendar days vs business days in payment terms
Most standard payment terms in the US and UK use calendar days. Net-30 typically means 30 calendar days from the invoice date, regardless of weekends or holidays. However, some industries — particularly public sector contracts and legal services — specify business days. A Net-30 in business days is closer to 40–44 calendar days depending on the period.
The practical difference is significant. An invoice issued on December 1st with Net-30 calendar days is due December 31st. With Net-30 business days, the due date is mid to late January, after skipping weekends, Christmas and New Year.
Common payment term structures
- Net-10: Due within 10 days. Common for ongoing service retainers.
- Net-30: The most common B2B term. Due within 30 days of invoice date.
- Net-60: Extended terms for large projects or established relationships.
- 2/10 Net-30: 2% discount if paid within 10 days, full amount due in 30.
- End of month (EOM): Payment due at the end of the month in which the invoice was received.
- 45 days end of month: Common in France under LME regulations.
Payment deadlines in France (LME)
The French Loi de Modernisation de l'Économie (LME, 2008) sets strict payment deadlines for B2B transactions. The default is 30 days from invoice receipt. The maximum allowed is 60 days from invoice date, or 45 days end-of-month. These deadlines use calendar days. Late payment incurs statutory interest penalties (intérêts de retard) at a minimum rate three times the legal interest rate, plus a fixed indemnity of €40.
What happens when a due date falls on a weekend or holiday?
In most jurisdictions, if a payment due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, it is automatically extended to the next business day. This rule exists in French civil law (Code civil, article 642), in English commercial practice, and in most US state laws. This means the actual payment risk for creditors is slightly longer than the stated term when periods span holiday clusters.
How to calculate your invoice due date
- Open the "Add Days to a Date" mode in the calculator.
- Enter the invoice date as the start date.
- Enter the number of days from your payment terms (e.g., 30 for Net-30).
- Select the country whose holidays apply (typically the buyer's country).
- If using calendar days, switch to No Holiday Calendar and count every day including weekends.
- Read the resulting due date directly from the result panel.
Frequently asked questions
Are Net-30 days calendar days or business days?
Net-30 typically means 30 calendar days in most US commercial contexts. Some contracts specify business days — always check the contract wording. The difference can be 8 to 12 days depending on holidays in the period.
What is the legal payment deadline in France?
French LME law sets the default at 30 days from invoice receipt. The maximum is 60 days from invoice date, or 45 days end-of-month. These use calendar days unless the contract specifies otherwise.
Does a due date move if it falls on a weekend?
Yes. In most jurisdictions a due date that falls on a weekend or public holiday is automatically extended to the next business day.