Quick Answer

DAY Function

DAY returns the day number (1-31) from a date.

✓ Excel✓ Google SheetsExcel All versions

Syntax

DAY
(serial_number)

Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
serial_numberThe date from which to extract the day.Required

Basic Example

Extract day from date

=DAY("7/4/2026")
Result4

Returns 4 from the date "7/4/2026".

Advanced Examples

Example 1: Find day of week

Date analysis

Determine which day of the week a date falls on

=WEEKDAY(A1, 1)
Result: 3
WEEKDAY returns 1 for Sunday, 7 for Saturday.

How DAY Works

DAY extracts the day of the month (1-31) from a date serial number.

1
Select output cell
Choose where the day should appear.
2
Enter formula
Type =DAY(date).
3
Press Enter
The result shows the day number (1-31).

Important Notes & Limitations

  • DAY only returns the day of the month.

  • For day of week, use WEEKDAY.

Common Errors & Fixes

#VALUE!Non-date argument

Fix: Ensure the argument is a valid date.

Download Practice File

Practice DAY with Real Data

Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the DAY function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Works in Google SheetsCompatible with ExcelIncludes exercises

File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DAY return the day of the week?
No, DAY returns the day of the month. Use WEEKDAY for day of week.