What is a 4 on 4 off schedule?
A 4 on 4 off schedule means you work four 12-hour shifts in a row, then have four days off. The cycle is eight days long, so your days on move forward by one weekday each week.
For 24/7 coverage, four teams are used: two share the day shift and two share the night shift. Each team works half the days of the year.
How the 4 on 4 off rotation works
The cycle: 4 days on, 4 days off — repeats every 8 days.
Team A works days 1–4 on day shift while Team B is off; then B works days 5–8. Teams C and D do the same on nights.
That is 4 shifts every 8 days — 48 hours, or 42 a week on average. Some weeks you work 3 shifts and some weeks 4 or 5 depending on where the block falls.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | D | D | D | D | ||||
| B | D | D | D | D | ||||
| C | N | N | N | N | ||||
| D | N | N | N | N |
4 on 4 off hours and days off
| Shift length | 12 hours |
|---|---|
| Cycle length | 8 days |
| Teams for 24/7 coverage | 4 |
| Hours in a 7-day week | 36 to 48 (depends where the week falls in the cycle) |
| Average hours per week | 42 |
| Hours per year (scheduled) | about 2,190 |
| Shifts per year | about 183 |
| Days off per year | about 183 |
Overtime: federal law (FLSA) counts overtime by the workweek — hours over 40 in a fixed 7-day week.On a 4 on 4 off schedule a single week can reach 48 hours even though the average is 42, so expect overtime in the heavier weeks. How much depends on which day your employer's workweek starts — the shift pay calculator shows the range. Some states, such as California and Alaska, also pay daily overtime after 8 hours.
Who uses the 4 on 4 off schedule?
- Warehouses and distribution centers
- Manufacturing
- Security and facilities
- Common in the UK and Canada as well as the US
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to remember
- Four days off every eight
- Equal time on and off
Cons
- Four 12-hour shifts in a row is tiring
- Weekends off only some weeks
- Overtime depends on how blocks fall in your pay week
Variations
Rotating 4 on 4 off: Teams alternate between a block of days and a block of nights.
2-2-3: Shorter blocks with every other weekend off.
4 on 4 off compared with similar rotations
| Rotation | Cycle | Shift | Avg hours/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 On 4 Off Schedule | 8 days | 12 h | 42 |
| 2-2-3 Schedule (Panama) | 28 days | 12 h | 42 |
| Pitman Schedule | 14 days | 12 h | 42 |
| DuPont Schedule | 28 days | 12 h | 42 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a 4 on 4 off schedule?
Four 12-hour shifts, then four days off, repeating every eight days.
How many hours is a 4 on 4 off?
48 hours every eight days, or 42 hours a week on average.
How many teams do you need for 4 on 4 off?
Four teams for 24/7 coverage: two on days and two on nights. Two teams are enough if you only need day coverage.
ShiftRotations is an independent site. Rotations vary between employers and departments — always check your own schedule or contract.