4-3-3-4 Schedule Calendar

4-3-3-4 Schedule at a glance

Cycle

14 days

Shift length

12 hours

Crews

2

Hours a week

42

Hours a year

2,190

Days off per cycle

7

What is a 4-3-3-4 schedule?

The 4-3-3-4 schedule (4 on, 3 off, 3 on, 4 off) is a 14-day pattern of 12-hour shifts. Each crew works 7 shifts every two weeks. Coverage depends on how your employer lines the crews up, so it does not give one crew per shift every day on its own.

One cycle, crew by crew

Days only (14 days)

Rotating days/nights (28 days)

Employers often shift the start or swap the order of blocks. If your rota differs, change the start date until the calendar matches a week you already know.

Printable 4-3-3-4 schedule template

Working a 4-3-3-4 schedule

The 4 on 3 off schedule, also called 4-3-3-4, alternates a week of four 12-hour shifts with a week of three: 4 on, 3 off, 3 on, 4 off, a 14-day cycle. Every week has three or four days off in a row, and you work 84 hours every two weeks.

With two crews it does not cover every day of the week on its own; employers stagger the crews or add relief, so check who covers the days your crew is off. A rotating version adds a fortnight of nights after the fortnight of days.

The fixed rhythm makes it easy to plan childcare and classes: the same days repeat every two weeks. The weeks alternate between 48 and 36 hours, so with a normal Monday workweek there are 8 hours of federal overtime every other week.

Overtime on a 4-3-3-4 schedule: it depends on the workweek

Federal overtime is due for hours over 40 in a workweek, a fixed 7-day period that your employer chooses and that does not have to start on Monday (29 CFR 778.105). With the same shifts, the day it starts changes how the hours fall into weeks, and so the overtime. Crew A, cycle starting on a Monday:

Compare this pattern with every other 24/7 option in 24/7 shift schedules compared. Federal rule only, before leave and swaps. Daily overtime states such as California count differently: use “Your pay” in the calendar or the shift pay calculator.

How many hours is a 4-3-3-4 schedule?

Hours a year = hours worked in one cycle × 365 ÷ days in the cycle. Days only: 84 h × 365 ÷ 14 = 2,190 h. These are scheduled hours; overtime, leave and swaps change your own total.

4-3-3-4 pay calculator: hours, overtime and pay a year at your hourly rate.

4-3-3-4 Schedule pros and cons

4-3-3-4 Schedule calendar 2027

An example year with Crew A starting its cycle on Monday, January 4, 2027; the other crews follow 7 days apart. For your own dates, use the calendar at the top of the page.

Day shifts yellow, nights blue, 24-hour shifts red, US federal holidays with an orange corner.

Who uses the 4-3-3-4 schedule?

Manufacturing and some police forces.

Similar patterns

• Pitman Schedule14-day cycle, 42 h a week
• Panama Schedule28-day cycle, 42 h a week
• DuPont Schedule28-day cycle, 42 h a week
• 4 on 4 off Schedule8-day cycle, 42 h a week
• 3 on 3 off Schedule6-day cycle, 42 h a week
• 2 on 2 off Schedule4-day cycle, 42 h a week

Questions