July is the 7th month of the year and has 31 days. It was renamed in honor of Julius Caesar, who was born during it; its earlier name, Quintilis, simply meant “fifth” from the days when the Roman year began in March. July and August are the only two 31-day months that sit directly next to each other.
How many days does July have?
Thirty-one, unchanging. See the months of the year reference for how the long and short months alternate — and where that alternation breaks around midsummer.
What season is July?
July is the peak of summer in the Northern Hemisphere — typically the hottest month of the year across much of it, with long daylight hours. In the Southern Hemisphere it’s the depth of winter.
What quarter is July in?
July opens the third quarter (Q3), July through September. It often coincides with the start of a new fiscal year for governments and organizations that don’t use the calendar year.
July holidays and observances
- Canada Day on July 1
- US Independence Day on July 4
- Bastille Day in France on July 14
- Emancipation Day in several Caribbean nations in early August, with lead-up events in July
July at a glance
The birthstone is ruby, the traditional flowers are the larkspur and water lily, and the zodiac moves from Cancer into Leo around July 23. The month sits between June and August. For the current month, see what month is it.
July by the numbers
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Days in the month | 31 |
| Day of the year on July 1 | 182 (183 in a leap year) |
| Day of the year on July 31 | 212 (213 in a leap year) |
| Share of the year finished by the end of July | about 58.1% |
| Days left in the year after July 31 | 153 |
| July 1, 2026 falls on | Wednesday |
| July 1, 2027 falls on | Thursday |
Because February 29 comes earlier in the year, every day in July has a day number one higher in a leap year. To find the day number of any date by hand, add up the days in the months before it and then add the date: July 15 is 181 + 15 = 196 in a common year. The day of the year tool works it out for any date.
July 2026 calendar
July 2026 starts on a Wednesday and ends on a Friday. Federal holidays (as observed) are in bold.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Key dates in July 2026 and 2027
| Date | Day | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 4, 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day | federal holiday, observed Friday, July 3 |
| July 4, 2027 | Sunday | Independence Day | federal holiday, observed Monday, July 5 |
Business days in July
| Month | Weekdays | Federal holidays on weekdays | Business days |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 23 | 1 | 22 |
| July 2027 | 22 | 1 | 21 |
Business days here are Monday to Friday minus observed US federal holidays. State holidays and company closures can lower the count further.