4-on-4-off Shift Calculator
How Does the 4-on-4-off Shift Pattern Work?
The 4-on-4-off pattern is one of the simplest and most predictable rotating shift schedules in use today. You work 4 consecutive shifts — almost always 12 hours each — then you rest for 4 consecutive days. That 8-day cycle then repeats indefinitely.
Because the cycle is 8 days rather than 7, it drifts through the calendar week over time. This week you might have Monday through Thursday off; in eight days your rest block will start a day later. The pattern naturally rotates through all days of the week over several cycles, meaning you will sometimes get weekends off and sometimes not — but the distribution is fairly even across the year.
Four teams are typically used to maintain 24/7 coverage: two teams alternate on day shifts while the other two alternate on nights. The teams rotate so each one spends time on both day and night shifts across the year, preventing any single team from being permanently on nights.
Working 12-hour shifts across 4 days in every 8, the average weekly hours work out to approximately 42. This is slightly above the standard 40-hour week, and many employers in the UK treat the extra time as contracted overtime built into the annual salary. In some organisations, particularly in oil and gas, the shifts are extended offshore trips rather than daily commutes.
The pattern is very popular in the security industry, manufacturing plants that cannot stop production, oil and gas installations, and some emergency services. Workers often value the 4-day rest block highly — it is long enough for a short break or mini-holiday without needing annual leave.
The main trade-off is that 12-hour shifts are physically demanding. The third and fourth days of a working block can be tiring, especially on nights. Good sleep hygiene and a solid pre-shift and post-shift routine matter a lot on this pattern.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the 4-on-4-off card — it should already be highlighted on this page. Choose your team letter (A, B, C, or D) using the team selector that appears on the card.
- Enter your cycle start date — this is the first day of your current or most recent working block. Check your rota, payslip, or shift app if you are unsure of the exact date.
- Click "Show my 12-month calendar" — your full year will display with day shifts in blue, night shifts in dark navy, and rest days in light grey. Bank holidays are marked automatically based on your selected country. Export to Google Calendar, iCal, or PDF using the export bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 4-on-4-off shift pattern?
A 4-on-4-off shift pattern means you work 4 consecutive shifts — usually 12 hours each — then have 4 consecutive days off. The 8-day cycle repeats throughout the year. With four teams rotating, the pattern provides uninterrupted coverage day and night, seven days a week.
How many hours a week is 4-on-4-off?
On a 4-on-4-off pattern with 12-hour shifts you average 42 hours per week. Because the 8-day cycle doesn't divide evenly into 7-day calendar weeks, individual weeks vary — some you'll clock 48 hours, others 36 — but the average over an 8-week period is consistently 42 hours.
How many days off per year on 4-on-4-off?
On a 4-on-4-off pattern you get approximately 182 to 183 rest days per year — just under half the year. Every 8-day cycle contains 4 rest days, and there are roughly 45 to 46 full cycles in a year. The statistics panel above will show your precise count once you enter your details.
Does 4-on-4-off include weekends?
Yes — the pattern drifts through the calendar week, so weekends regularly fall on your rest days. Over a full year, roughly half your rest days will include Saturday or Sunday. The calendar above shows exactly which weekends you are free so you can plan ahead.
Is 4-on-4-off the same as a continental shift?
No. The continental shift follows a 21-day cycle built around blocks of 2 days, 2 nights, and 3 rest days — common in European manufacturing and transport. The 4-on-4-off is a much simpler 8-day cycle. Both cover 24/7 operations but the rest distribution and total cycle length are different.
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.
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