What is a 4 on 4 off shift pattern?
You work four consecutive shifts, then have four consecutive days off, and the eight-day cycle starts again. It is popular with 12-hour shifts in workplaces that run around the clock, such as hospitals, control rooms, factories and security teams.
How the eight-day cycle works
| Cycle days | What you do |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 4 | Work (day shifts, night shifts, or a mix) |
| Days 5 to 8 | Rest days |
You work half of all days, which averages 3.5 shifts a week, or about 182 to 183 shifts a year. A week has seven days and the cycle has eight, so your days off slide through the week instead of landing on the same weekdays. The pattern lines up with the calendar week again every 56 days, and over that time about half of all weekend days fall on a shift.
Common variations
Some teams work four day shifts then four off. Others work four nights. A popular version is two day shifts, two night shifts and four days off, which is still an eight-day cycle and is the example the planner starts with.
Set it up in the Dayzuntil shift planner
- Open the free shift planner.
- Under Your repeating pattern, choose On a rotating cycle.
- Pick the first day of your first shift as the pattern start date.
- Set cycle days 1 to 4 to your shift and days 5 to 8 to Off. The planner starts with an eight-day example, so you only change what differs.
- Choose Save shift pattern. Every shift and rest day appears on the monthly calendar, carrying on across the end of the year.
Plan childcare and family time
Add a partner's working days and nursery or school days as overlays, and the planner flags the days when you are working and cover may be needed. The childcare planner guide explains how.
Frequently asked questions
How many days a year do you work on 4 on 4 off?
You work four days out of every eight, which is about 182 to 183 days a year, or 3.5 shifts a week on average.
Do you get weekends off on 4 on 4 off?
Only some of them. The eight-day cycle drifts against the seven-day week, so over eight weeks roughly half of weekend days fall on a shift and half fall on a rest day.
Is 4 on 4 off the same as a 2-2-3 pattern?
No. 4 on 4 off repeats every eight days, while a 2-2-3 pattern repeats every 14 days and stays locked to the same days of the week. Both average 3.5 shifts a week.