Shift Work Schedule Calculator
Generate a 4-week calendar for your shift rotation. Color-coded work and off days at a glance.
Schedule Settings
2 on, 2 off, 3 on — 14-day cycle. Popular in emergency services.
Which week of the rotation cycle does your start date fall in?
Legend
Next 4 weeks
14
Work days
14
Off days
4-Week Schedule — 2-2-3 Panama
Week 1 — Jun 25 – Jul 1
Week 2 — Jul 2 – 8
Week 3 — Jul 9 – 15
Week 4 — Jul 16 – 22
How to Use the Shift Work Calculator
- Select your rotation type from the dropdown (Panama, Pitman, 4-on-4-off, or DuPont).
- Enter the start date of your current rotation cycle — typically the first day of a new block.
- Choose Team A or Team B if your workplace uses alternating crews.
- The calculator generates a 4-week color-coded calendar showing your work days and off days.
Common Shift Rotation Patterns Explained
Panama (2-2-3)
Alternates between 2 days on, 2 days off, and 3 days on in a repeating cycle. Over a 4-week period you work 14 days and have 14 days off. Shifts are typically 12 hours. Popular in manufacturing, healthcare, and public safety.
Pitman (2-3 Rotation)
A 2-week cycle of 2 days on, 3 days off, 2 days on, 2 days off. Results in every other weekend off. Works well for workers who need predictable time off for family commitments.
4-on-4-off
Four consecutive work days followed by four consecutive days off. Simple and easy to plan around. Results in roughly 182 work days per year with 12-hour shifts. Shifts rotate between days and nights over the cycle.
DuPont
A 28-day cycle covering four crews across 12-hour shifts. Each crew rotates through days and nights with a 7-day stretch off every 28 days. More complex but gives a longer recovery block each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours per year does each schedule produce?
All four schedules are designed to provide approximately 2,184 hours per year with 12-hour shifts (182 days × 12 hours), which is slightly above the standard 2,080-hour work year. This is intentional — it accounts for overtime and ensures 24/7 coverage with the minimum number of crews.
What is the difference between Team A and Team B?
In two-team rotations, Team A and Team B work mirror schedules — when one team is working, the other is off. This ensures continuous coverage. Enter the correct team for your crew to see your specific work days rather than your co-workers' days.
Can I use this to plan vacations and appointments?
Yes — that is one of the most common uses. Generate your calendar with the correct start date, then use the off-day blocks to plan around your schedule. The 4-week view makes it easy to spot long stretches of consecutive off days.
What if my workplace uses a custom rotation?
The four patterns here cover the most common industrial and healthcare rotations. If your schedule doesn't match, use the "Between Dates" feature in the Age Calculator to count days between your cycle anchor date and any future date, then map it to your pattern manually.