4 On 2 Off Shift Schedule — Free Calendar Generator

4 On 2 Off schedule: a complete 6-day example

This is the preset used by the generator above, with every crew shown side by side. Day 1 is the cycle reference date you enter, not necessarily the first working day for every crew. Day and night labels refer to the date a shift starts.

Hours and days off in this preset

Each crew has 4 work days and 2 off days per cycle. Scheduled hours are 40 ÷ 6 × 7 = 46.7 hours per week on average (rounded to one decimal). This cycle average is not an individual workweek total or a payroll calculation.

Match this example to your real roster

1. Compare a known work date with the day, night, and off assignments in the table.
2. Set the matching cycle reference date and choose your crew in the generator.
3. Check one full cycle against your existing roster before printing or sharing. Record leave, swaps, and additional cover separately.

A crew is a group following the same rotation, not a single employee. The calendar does not calculate how many qualified people each shift needs.

How the 4 On 2 Off schedule works

The 4 on 2 off pattern repeats every 6 days: four 10-hour shifts, then two days off. It suits extended daytime coverage rather than round-the-clock work — three crews offset by two days keep at least two crews on each day, giving strong overlap for busy hours and handovers. It is a good fit where you need long daily cover but not full 24-hour staffing.

Who uses the 4 On 2 Off pattern

Distribution centres, transport and logistics, retail operations, and customer-support teams that need long daytime cover with overlap.

Fit 4-on/2-off to the actual coverage seat

A four-on, two-off sequence can give a steady single-shift coverage rhythm, but the six-day cycle shifts through weekdays. Map it across several months before assigning recurring work, scheduled deliveries, or a regular weekend task. The cycle is regular; the dates on which it lands are not.

Define the handover, supervision, and skills required on each of the four working days. A simple work/off label is not enough where different responsibilities are needed at opening, peak workload, or close. Use a separate coverage note to validate the roster before it is posted.

Make temporary changes legible. Keep the base sequence unchanged on the calendar where possible and record relief, leave, or overtime as dated exceptions. This prevents short-notice changes from making a straightforward rotation harder for staff to follow.

Pattern comparison

If you are deciding between nearby options, compare the weekly hours, longest work run, and biggest off block before you standardise the rota.

Figures describe the presets on this site, including runs across the cycle boundary. Weekly hours are cycle averages; actual workweek totals vary with the reference date. Compare the shift sequence and required coverage, not just the length of the break.