7 on 7 off Schedule Calendar

7 on 7 off Schedule at a glance

Cycle

14 days

Shift length

12 hours

Crews for 24/7

4

Hours a week

42

Hours a year

2,190

Days off per cycle

7

What is a 7 on 7 off schedule?

A 7 on 7 off schedule is seven shifts in a row followed by seven days off, a 14-day cycle. Shifts are usually 12 hours, so you work 84 hours every two weeks, an average of 42 a week. Two crews cover the day shift; the rotating version is a week of days, a week off, a week of nights and a week off, a 28-day cycle for four crews.

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 7 on 7 off schedule rota differs, change the start date until the calendar matches a week you already know: the 14-day cycle then lines up for the whole year.

Printable 7 on 7 off schedule template

Working a 7 on 7 off schedule

Under the standard rule, overtime is paid for hours over 40 in a workweek. If all seven 12-hour shifts fall in one workweek, 44 of the 84 hours are overtime; if your employer's workweek splits the block into four shifts and three, only the 48-hour week has overtime, 8 hours. Ask payroll which day the workweek starts, then turn on "Your pay" to see it for your dates.

Hospitals can agree with their staff to use a 14-day period instead of the workweek (the 8/80 system). Overtime is then due for hours over 8 in a workday and over 80 in the 14 days, so each 12-hour shift has 4 hours of overtime (29 CFR 778.601).

Two crews cover one position on days; four crews cover days and nights. If you prefer longer blocks with the same half year at home, the 14 on 14 off hitch rotation used on oil rigs and mines is the same even-time idea: see the hitch rotation calendar.

Overtime on a 7 on 7 off 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 7 shifts every 14 days, 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 7 on 7 off 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.

7 on 7 off pay calculator: hours, overtime and pay a year at your hourly rate.

7 on 7 off Schedule pros and cons

7 on 7 off 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.

For all 12 months with your own start date, your crew and your holidays, use the calendar at the top of the page: you can print the year, download it to Excel or add it to your phone.

Who uses the 7 on 7 off schedule?

Hospitals, security, oil and gas, and some police and ambulance services.

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
• 4-3-3-4 Schedule14-day cycle, 42 h a week

Questions