Work Schedule and Shift Planner
Plan a repeating shift pattern before you accept it. Pick the rotation, the shift times and the start date, and see a week-by-week calendar with hours and overtime flags.
Work schedule and shift planner
Lay out a repeating shift pattern on a calendar and see the hours in every week.
Work schedule and shift planner ·
Enter your numbers above and the result appears here.
How this was calculated
Common shift patterns
| Pattern | Cycle | Shift length that fits | Average hours / week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 on, 2 off | 7 days | 8-8.5 h | 40-42.5 |
| 4 on, 3 off | 7 days | 10 h | 40 |
| 3 on, 4 off | 7 days | 12 h | 36 |
| 2-2-3 (Pitman) | 14 days, 7 shifts | 12 h | 42 |
| 4 on, 4 off | 8 days | 12 h | 42 |
| 7 on, 7 off | 14 days | 12 h | 42 |
Averages are shift length multiplied by shifts per cycle, divided by weeks in the cycle (for example 7 twelve-hour shifts per 14 days is 84 hours per two weeks, or 42 per week).
How to read the calendar
- Each row is a Monday-to-Sunday week. A bold time means a shift starts that day; “off” means no shift.
- The right-hand column adds up paid hours: shift length minus the unpaid break, times the shifts that week.
- Rows highlighted in green pass 40 hours. Under the federal weekly rule, hours above 40 in the workweek earn overtime (see overtime calculator). Your employer's workweek definition and state rules may differ.
Worked example: the 2-2-3 rotation with 12-hour shifts
Why 42 hours on average hides 60-hour weeks
The 2-2-3 rotation repeats every 14 days with 7 shifts: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, then 2 off, 2 on, 3 off. Over two weeks that is 7 × 12 = 84 hours, an average of 42 a week. But the weeks alternate. In one week you may work 5 shifts (60 hours) and in the other 2 shifts (24 hours). Under the federal weekly rule, the 60-hour week contains 20 overtime hours even though the average looks close to 40 - overtime is not averaged across weeks. Whether your employer uses a different arrangement is something to ask before accepting the schedule.
Tips for choosing a schedule
- Compare average hours and the biggest week in the plan.
- Use the unpaid break box to see paid hours, not just hours at work.
- Add an hourly rate to preview straight-time and overtime-premium pay for the weeks shown.
- Pair with the PTO calculator to plan days off.
Questions to ask before accepting a rotating schedule
- What day does the workweek start, and what time? It decides where weeks are cut and which hours are overtime.
- Is the unpaid break a fixed length, and is it actually uninterrupted?
- How are shifts that cross midnight assigned to a workweek?
- Does the employer count paid leave toward the 40 hours? (Policies differ.)
- How much notice is given of schedule changes, and how are swaps handled?
Reading average hours carefully
An average of 42 hours does not mean you work 42 every week. With a rotation that alternates 60-hour and 24-hour weeks, the 60-hour weeks are the ones that earn overtime under the federal weekly rule, and the 24-hour weeks do not offset them. That is why the planner shows each week separately. Use the weekly table to compare options and to check your pay stub for the high-hour weeks.
Example: comparing two schedules
| Plan | Shifts per 14 days | Hours at 12 h | Highest week | Average / week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-2-3 | 7 | 84 | 60 h (5 shifts) | 42 h |
| 4 on, 4 off | 7 (varies) | 84 | 48 h (4 shifts) | 42 h |
| 3 on, 4 off | 6 | 72 | 36 h | 36 h |
| 5 on, 2 off (8 h) | 10 | 80 | 40 h | 40 h |
The two 42-hour averages differ in how they are distributed, which matters for overtime. Use the calendar above with your own times to see each week.
Printing your plan
Press Print this result to produce a clean calendar with the weekly hours for the weeks you selected. Share it with your family or manager to agree on days off, or compare two patterns by printing each one. Because nothing is saved on a server, print before you close the page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 4 on 3 off schedule?
Four consecutive working days followed by three days off, repeating each week. With 10-hour shifts it totals 40 hours a week.
What is a 2-2-3 schedule?
A 14-day rotation: work 2 days, off 2, work 3, off 2, work 2, off 3. Each person works 7 of every 14 days.
Do 12-hour shifts mean overtime?
Under the federal rule overtime is based on more than 40 hours in the workweek. A week with four 12-hour shifts is 48 hours. State daily rules may add more.
Can I plan a custom pattern?
Yes. Choose Custom and set the number of days on and days off.
Does this save my schedule?
No. Nothing leaves your browser and nothing is stored; print the result to keep it.
Sources and last checked
Last checked: . Rules change; confirm with the linked agency before relying on a figure. This is general information, not legal or payroll advice - see our disclaimer.