The 4 on 2 off shift pattern is the busy retail and logistics rota: four days on, two off, on a six day cycle that gives more working days than four on four off and shorter breaks. It is one of a family of on and off cycles, and the questions people ask about the 4 on 6 off shift pattern, the 5 on 3 off shift pattern and the 3 on 3 off shift pattern calculator are the same question: what does this cycle give each person in hours, how many people does it take to cover the week, and what does it cost. This page answers that for each, on the same numbers, using the free rota sheet on this site.
The cycles, in hours per person
On eight hour shifts, 4 on 2 off works four of every six days: 32 hours in six days, which averages 37 hours a week. 5 on 3 off works five of every eight: 40 hours in eight days, 35 a week. 3 on 3 off on 12 hour shifts works three of every six: 36 hours in six days, 42 a week, the same average as four on four off with half the block length. 4 on 6 off on 12 hour shifts works four of every ten: 48 hours in ten days, about 34 a week, and gives six days off in a row. All of them sit under the 48 hour weekly average GOV.UK sets; the differences are in how the days off fall.
Teams needed, and how the weekend drifts
A cycle of six days needs enough people to cover every shift on every one of the six, so for each person you need on a shift, 4 on 2 off needs one and a half people and 3 on 3 off needs two. An eight day cycle like 5 on 3 off needs one and three fifths; a ten day 4 on 6 off needs two and a half. Because none of these cycles is seven days, every one of them drifts through the week, so a person's days off move earlier each week and a full weekend comes round on a schedule only the calendar knows. Publish the cycle far ahead or expect the same question every Monday.
Costing a cycle on the free sheet
The work rota template on this site takes days open, shifts a day, people a shift and hours a shift and returns the shifts to fill, the rota hours and the cost at your rate, with the hours per person and the gap against contracts across your headcount. A seven day operation on two eight hour shifts with three people a shift is 42 shifts and 336 hours, £4,270.56 a week at £12.71 an hour; whichever cycle you spread it across, the week costs the same and only the number of people and their hours per head change. That is the comparison to run before choosing a pattern.
Questions people ask about 4 on 2 off shift pattern
How many hours a week is 4 on 2 off?
On eight hour shifts, 32 hours in each six day cycle, which averages about 37 hours a week. On ten hour shifts it averages about 47, which is close to the 48 hour weekly average and worth checking over the 17 week reference period.
Is 3 on 3 off the same as 4 on 4 off?
Same weekly average on 12 hour shifts, 42 hours, but shorter blocks: three days on and three off instead of four. Some people prefer the shorter run of nights; the cover arithmetic is identical.
Which cycle needs the fewest people?
The one with the most days on: 4 on 2 off needs one and a half people per shift slot, 5 on 3 off one and three fifths, 3 on 3 off two, 4 on 6 off two and a half. Fewer people means more hours each, so read the hours per person before choosing.