4-on-2-off Shift Calculator
How Does the 4-on-2-off Shift Pattern Work?
The 4-on-2-off shift pattern is one of the most straightforward rotating work schedules. You work 4 consecutive day shifts and then rest for 2 days. That 6-day cycle then repeats throughout the year. There are no night shifts in the standard version of this pattern — it is designed for operations that need coverage during extended daytime hours but do not require overnight staffing.
Three teams are typically used to maintain seamless seven-day coverage. While one team is working their 4-day block, the other two teams provide overlap so there is always at least one team on shift at any given time. The short cycle makes the pattern easy to learn and communicate.
Because the 6-day cycle does not align with the 7-day calendar week, the pattern slowly drifts across the week. This week your rest days might fall on Tuesday and Wednesday; in six days they will be Thursday and Friday; and so on. Over time this means you get a rotating mix of weekdays and weekends off — you will not always have the same days free, which can make social planning somewhat unpredictable.
The pattern is most common in retail and large-format stores that trade seven days a week, in hospitality — hotels, restaurants, and venues — in residential care homes, and in some community healthcare and outpatient settings. It is also found in some courier and logistics depots operating extended daytime hours.
One key consideration with this pattern is annual leave. Because you work approximately two-thirds of all days (4 out of every 6), the total number of working days per year is higher than a standard 5-day-week arrangement. Most employers calculate annual leave entitlement in hours or shifts rather than weeks to keep things fair.
If your employer runs this pattern with 12-hour rather than 8-hour shifts, the weekly hour average is around 56 hours — well above the 48-hour weekly limit under the UK Working Time Regulations unless an opt-out has been signed. Confirm your contracted shift length before accepting a 4-on-2-off rota.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the 4-on-2-off card — it should already be highlighted on this page. Choose your team letter (A, B, or C) from the team selector. This pattern has three teams rather than four because only day shifts are needed.
- Enter your cycle start date — the first day of your current or last 4-day working block. If you are mid-cycle, count back to find the start of the current block.
- Click "Show my 12-month calendar" — your full year will appear showing working days in blue and rest days in grey. Bank holidays are highlighted automatically. Use the date checker to confirm specific dates, and export to your phone's calendar app or as a PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4-on-2-off shift pattern?
The 4-on-2-off pattern is a simple rotating schedule: 4 consecutive day shifts followed by 2 rest days. The 6-day cycle repeats throughout the year. Three teams rotate through the pattern to provide seven-day daytime coverage without night shifts.
How many hours a week is 4-on-2-off?
With 8-hour shifts, 4-on-2-off averages around 37 to 40 hours per week. With 12-hour shifts the average rises to approximately 56 hours per week. The exact figure depends on your contracted shift length — check your employment contract for clarity.
Does 4-on-2-off have night shifts?
The standard 4-on-2-off pattern as modelled in this calculator is day-only. There are no night shifts. It is designed for services that operate during extended daytime hours seven days a week but do not need overnight staffing.
How many weekends off do you get on 4-on-2-off?
Because the 6-day cycle drifts through the 7-day week, your two rest days rotate across different days of the week over time. You will sometimes have a Saturday or Sunday off, but back-to-back full weekends are less frequent than on patterns with longer rest blocks. Use the calendar above to see exactly which weekends fall on your rest days this year.
What industries use the 4-on-2-off pattern?
The 4-on-2-off pattern is common in retail (supermarkets, large stores), hotels and hospitality venues, residential care homes, and some outpatient healthcare and community services. It suits any operation that trades or provides services seven days a week during daylight hours.
How do I know which team I'm on?
Your employer assigns you to a team (A, B, C, D — sometimes Red, Blue, Green, Yellow). Each team works the same pattern but offset from the others so the workplace stays covered. Check your employment contract, rota notice board, or pay slip, or ask your line manager. Picking the wrong team in the calculator above will show you the opposite days, so it's worth confirming before you rely on the calendar.
Related Shift Patterns
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.