Most years have exactly 52 Thursdays. Some years have 53 Thursdays depending on which day the year starts and whether the year is a leap year.
In this guide, I will explain the exact calculation, show correct examples, include a multi-year Thursday count table, and give you fast ways to verify any year.
How Many Thursdays in a Year?
- Regular year (365 days): 52 Thursdays, sometimes 53
- Leap year (366 days): 52 Thursdays, sometimes 53
A year can only have 53 Thursdays when the calendar aligns in a specific way, explained below.
How the Calculation Works
A year contains 52 full weeks.
- 52 weeks × 7 days = 364 days
This leaves:
- 1 extra day in a normal year
- 2 extra days in a leap year
These leftover days determine whether a 53rd Thursday appears.
When does a year have 53 Thursdays?
A year will have 53 Thursdays if:
- January 1 falls on a Thursday, OR
- In a leap year, January 1 falls on a Wednesday or Thursday, causing the extra days to spill over and add an additional Thursday.
Examples of Thursday Counts by Year
| Year | Leap Year? | Day of Jan 1 | Total Thursdays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | No | Sunday | 52 Thursdays |
| 2024 | Yes | Monday | 52 Thursdays (Leap year does not force a 53rd Thursday unless aligned) |
| 2025 | No | Wednesday | 52 Thursdays |
| 2026 | No | Thursday | 53 Thursdays (Starts on Thursday) |
| 2027 | No | Friday | 52 Thursdays |
| 2028 | Yes | Saturday | 52 Thursdays |
Years With 53 Thursdays (2020–2035)
| Year | Thursdays |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 53 |
| 2032 | 53 |
Quick Ways to Check the Number of Thursdays in Any Year
You do not need a calendar.
Method 1: Check January 1
- If Jan 1 = Thursday → 53 Thursdays
- If Jan 1 = Wednesday (leap year only) → 53 Thursdays
Otherwise, the year has 52 Thursdays.
Method 2: Use the Weekday Pattern
A year has 53 of a weekday if that weekday appears 53 times in the 366 or 365-day cycle.
FAQs
Q: Can a year have more than 53 Thursdays?
No. The maximum is 53.
Q: Do leap years automatically have 53 Thursdays?
No. Leap years only add a 53rd Thursday when the year begins on Wednesday or Thursday.
Q: How many Thursdays are in a 365-day year?
Always 52, unless January 1 is Thursday, which creates 53.
4. How many Thursdays are in a 366-day leap year?
Usually 52, but sometimes 53 depending on how the days align.
Conclusion
Most years have 52 Thursdays, and only specific calendar alignments create 53 Thursdays.
Using the January 1 rule or the table above, you can quickly determine the exact number of Thursdays for any year without needing a full calendar.