Free calculator
Legal Deadline Calculator
Count a legal deadline from any trigger date in calendar days or court days, skip weekends and US federal court holidays, and see every day that was counted. Built around the counting rules in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 6(a).
Educational estimate only. Lawyer Magazine is a publication, not a law firm, and this tool is not legal advice. Your calculation stays in your browser and is not stored.
How this calculator works
- 1
Pick the trigger date
The event that starts the clock, such as service of a complaint, entry of an order or a filing.
- 2
Choose the period and how to count
Calendar days count every day. Court days (business days) skip weekends and holidays, as many state rules require for short periods.
- 3
Apply the rules
Under FRCP 6(a), the trigger day is excluded and a deadline that lands on a weekend or legal holiday moves to the next day the court is open. Service by mail may add 3 days under FRCP 6(d).
- 4
Save the result
Copy a shareable link or download a calendar file so the deadline sits in your calendar with the full count.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you calculate a court deadline?
- Start the day after the trigger event, count the number of days the rule gives you, and if the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, move to the next day that is not one. That is the method in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 6(a)(1) and in most state rules.
- What is the difference between calendar days and court days?
- Calendar days include weekends and holidays. Court days, also called business or judicial days, count only days the court is open. Some state rules switch to court days for short periods, so always check the specific rule.
- Which holidays does the calculator skip?
- All US federal legal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, including the observed weekday when a holiday falls on a weekend. Add any state or local court closures in the extra closures field.
- Does service by mail add three days?
- Under FRCP 6(d), when service is made by mail (and certain other methods), 3 days are added after the period would otherwise expire. Electronic service no longer gets the extra days in federal court. State rules vary, some add 5 days.
- How long do I have to answer a complaint?
- In federal court the usual period is 21 days after service of the summons and complaint (FRCP 12(a)), or 60 days if you waived service. State courts set their own periods, commonly 20 to 30 days.
- Can I rely on this calculator for a filing?
- Use it as a check, not as the final word. Local rules, court orders, holidays declared by a specific court and the exact method of service can all change a deadline. Confirm critical dates with the court's rules or an attorney.
Have a story tip, correction or question?
Write to our editors. For a quick estimate on your own situation, our free calculators are a good first step.