How a 4 on 4 off schedule works
The pattern repeats every 8 days: four days of work, then four days off. Two crews working opposite halves of the cycle can share one post, so one crew is always on while the other rests. In the grid above, crew A starts its four shifts on day 1 and crew B starts on day 5. Crews C and D do the same on nights, which gives a day crew and a night crew every day.
Because 8 days and 7-day weeks do not line up, the pattern shifts against the calendar week. Crew A works Sunday to Wednesday in week 1; in week 2 the same crew works Monday to Thursday, and so on. The grid shows week 1 — change the “Week starting” date to the date your first work day falls in, and edit cells to show later weeks.
The arithmetic: hours per week
- Average shifts per week: 4 shifts in every 8 days is 4 × 7 ÷ 8 = 3.5 shifts per week.
- With 12-hour shifts: 3.5 × 12 = 42 hours per week on average (before unpaid breaks), or 2,184 hours over 52 weeks.
- Days off: half of all days — 182 off days in a 364-day year.
The weekly total is not steady. Counting 7-day weeks from day 1, a crew's shifts per week run like this (crew A starts on day 1, crew B starts its work days on day 5):
| Week | Crew A | Crew B |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 4 shifts · 48 h | 3 shifts · 36 h |
| Week 2 | 4 shifts · 48 h | 3 shifts · 36 h |
| Week 3 | 4 shifts · 48 h | 3 shifts · 36 h |
| Week 4 | 4 shifts · 48 h | 3 shifts · 36 h |
| Week 5 | 3 shifts · 36 h | 4 shifts · 48 h |
| Week 6 | 3 shifts · 36 h | 4 shifts · 48 h |
| Week 7 | 3 shifts · 36 h | 4 shifts · 48 h |
| Week 8 | 3 shifts · 36 h | 4 shifts · 48 h |
Over these 8 weeks each crew works 28 shifts, an average of 3.5 a week. The cycle repeats every 8 weeks (56 days, which is 7 full 8-day cycles). Weeks with 4 twelve-hour shifts come to 48 hours; weeks with 3 come to 36.
Overtime in the US
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, covered employees who are not exempt must be paid at least time and one-half their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The Department of Labor explains that a workweek is a fixed, recurring period of 168 hours — seven consecutive 24-hour periods — and that averaging hours over two or more weeks is not permitted (US Department of Labor, Overtime Pay).
For a 4 on 4 off crew that matters: the 42-hour average hides weeks with 48 hours, and under the rule above those weeks are assessed on their own, not averaged with the 36-hour weeks. Whether overtime is owed depends on whether the employee is covered and non-exempt, on paid versus unpaid breaks, on how the employer sets the workweek, and on state rules and any union or sector arrangements. Check with your payroll provider or the Department of Labor before relying on this.
Using the grid
- Hours column adds up each crew's paid time for the week shown. The preset has no unpaid break; add one in the shift table if your shifts have one.
- Staff on (bottom row) should read 1 day crew + 1 night crew, i.e. 2, on every day. A gap shows as a lower number.
- Replace crews with names. Delete a crew and add people instead, or keep crews and list the members elsewhere. Auto-fill replaces the pattern, so use the cell drop-downs for edits.
- Reset example restores the 4 on 4 off pattern.
Need other rotations or a general weekly rota? See the shift schedule maker for 3 × 8-hour and 2 × 12-hour setups, or the work schedule maker for a plain weekly schedule.
FAQ
What is a 4 on 4 off schedule?
A repeating 8-day pattern where a crew works four consecutive shifts and then has four consecutive days off. It is usually run with 12-hour shifts.
How many hours a week is a 4 on 4 off schedule?
On average 3.5 shifts a week. With 12-hour shifts that is 42 hours a week on average, but individual weeks are 36 or 48 hours, depending on where the 7-day week falls in the 8-day cycle.
How many crews do I need for 24/7 cover?
Four, in the setup shown: two crews alternate on day shifts and two alternate on night shifts, so a day crew and a night crew are on every day.
Is overtime owed on a 4 on 4 off schedule?
Under the federal FLSA, overtime for covered, non-exempt employees is calculated per 168-hour workweek (hours over 40) and cannot be averaged across weeks, so 48-hour weeks can trigger overtime. Rules differ by employee status and state; confirm with the Department of Labor or your payroll provider.
Does the schedule match the calendar week?
No. The cycle is 8 days long, so it moves one day against the calendar week every week. The grid shows one week; edit the cells or change the start date to show another.
Is my team's data uploaded or stored?
No. Names, shifts and hours stay in your browser. They are saved in your browser's local storage so the schedule is still there next time, and are never sent to our servers. Clearing your browser data removes them.
Does the tool check labour law?
No. It adds up hours and warns when someone is scheduled above a general weekly threshold, but rules on overtime, breaks, rest periods and advance notice depend on your country, state or city and your contracts. Check official guidance or ask an adviser before you rely on a schedule.