Fed. R. Civ. P. 6 — Computing and Extending Time
Last verified: May 19, 2026 · U.S. Courts — FRCP.
Rule Text — Key Provisions
(a) Computing time. Day of event excluded; intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays counted; last day computed but extended to next non-weekend/non-holiday if the courthouse is inaccessible.
(b) Extending time. Court may, for good cause, extend time before the original deadline or, after expiration of the deadline, on motion if the failure was the result of excusable neglect.
(b)(2) No extensions. Court cannot extend deadlines under Rules 50(b), (d); 52(b); 59(b), (d), (e); and 60(b) — the post-judgment motions.
(d) Additional time after electronic service. Three additional days are added after service by mail, leaving with the clerk, or other agreed means — but not for electronic service through the CM/ECF system.
Full text: law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_6.
Plain English
Rule 6 is how federal courts count time. Three things matter most: the day of the triggering event isn’t counted, weekends and holidays generally are, and a few critical post-judgment deadlines absolutely cannot be extended. Missing one of those — like a Rule 59(e) motion deadline — is final.
Key Cases & Authority
- Pioneer Investment Services v. Brunswick Associates LP, 507 U.S. 380 (1993) — Defined “excusable neglect” under Rule 6(b)(1)(B). Four-factor balancing test — prejudice, length of delay, reason for delay, good faith.
- Lujan v. National Wildlife Federation, 497 U.S. 871 (1990) — Strict application of Rule 6(b)’s limits; court has no discretion to extend deadlines listed in 6(b)(2).
- 2009 Time Computation Amendments — Simplified counting rules: every day counts unless statute otherwise. Read the committee notes — they fundamentally restructured federal deadline math.
Florida Parallel
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.090 — Florida tracks federal time computation since the 2014 amendments. Florida also has its own “mailbox rule” for filings.
About this rule walkthrough
Part of The Federal Rule Book, hosted by John M. Phillips — Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Court TV analyst, admitted in 8 states + 9 federal districts + SCOTUS.
Free consultation: (904) 444-4444 · About John Phillips
Educational only — not legal advice.
Rule Text (verbatim from the Florida Supreme Court)
(a) When computing any time period specified in these rules, in any local rule or court order, or in any statute that does not specify a method of computing time — exclude the day of the event that triggers the period; count every day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; and include the last day, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which case the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
(b) For good cause, the court may extend the time before the original time or its extension expires; or on motion made after the time has expired if the party failed to act because of excusable neglect.
(b)(2) A court must not extend the time to act under Rules 50(b) and (d), 52(b), 59(b), (d), and (e), and 60(b).
Educational reference. This page summarizes a Federal Rule of Civil Procedure for educational purposes. It is not legal advice. Federal procedural rules can change — always verify the current text at uscourts.gov before relying on this summary in any case.
What this rule means in plain English
Rule 6 is how federal courts count time. Day of the triggering event is not counted; weekends and holidays generally are; last day extended to next business day if courthouse inaccessible. Critical: a few post-judgment deadlines (Rules 50(b), 52(b), 59, and 60(b)) cannot be extended for any reason. Missing one is final.