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Ultimate guide to the 6 on 4 off shift pattern + Calendar & Calculator
By Kieran - Founder
In this pattern, employees generally work for six consecutive days followed by four consecutive days off. This pattern is commonly used with 8-hour shifts and is popular in industries such as police, healthcare, and fire services.
We will also cover how to implement it in our rota planner scheduling software.
Fact sheet
| Name | 6 on 4 off |
| Applicability | 24/7 coverage |
| Employees/Teams required | 5 |
| Shift length | 8 hours |
| Pattern length | 10 days |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The "6 on 4 off" shift pattern means working six 8-hour shifts in a row, followed by four days off. This pattern helps cover work 24/7 and offers some flexibility for overtime or personal errands during weekdays. However, the first day off is usually spent recovering from night shifts, leaving only three proper rest days. Some workers try to adjust by treating the day before the first night shift as a rest day and going to bed early to get ready.
The biggest downside is the risk of feeling very tired or burnt out after working six days straight. This can be tough for those who want more weekends off to spend with family or friends. The pattern can also affect social life and well-being over time. While some people get used to it and find it manageable, others find it hard to keep up due to the long shifts and irregular schedule.
{{ name }} Shift Pattern Calculator
Our calendar tool makes it easy to create a yearly shift schedule based on the {{ name }} pattern. Simply enter your details, and the tool will quickly generate a clear and tidy rota calendar for you.
It will also calculate how many weekends you’ll be working, the total hours worked, and display everything in a neat, easy-to-read rota sheet. Use this for for planning and staying organised with your shift schedule.
Define custom pattern
Hours
Shifts
{{ toReadableLetter(letter) }}
| {{ month.name }} | ||||||
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| {{ day.date }} | ||||||
Turn on 'Background graphics' in the print dialog for colours to show.
Hours & wage calculator
Here's a helpful calculator to work out how many hours you would work per week, month or year in the {{ name }} shift pattern.
You can also use this calculator to work out your weekly and monthly pay for {{ name }} shift schedule.
Options
$
Results
Results recalculate automatically.
| Hours | Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Per week | {{ hoursPerWeek.toLocaleString() }} | ${{ wagePerWeek.toLocaleString() }} |
| Per month | {{ hoursPerMonth.toLocaleString() }} | ${{ wagePerMonth.toLocaleString() }} |
| Per year | {{ hoursPerYear.toLocaleString() }} | ${{ wagePerYear.toLocaleString() }} |
These values are based on the generated calendar above, therefore the numbers depend heavily on the start date.
Our rota software can do these calculations for you, and more.
Average weekly hours
For a {{ name }} shift pattern, the average weekly working hours is {{ hoursPerWeek.toFixed(1) }} hours.
This assumes you're working {{ hoursPerShift }}-hour shifts.
Average yearly hours
Assuming {{ hoursPerShift }}-hour shifts, your hours per year will be {{ hoursPerYear }} hours using the {{ name }} schedule.
You can use the calculator above to work out your hours for other variations of {{ name }} rota pattern.
How many weekends?
With the {{ name }} shift pattern, you will work at least one day on {{ calendar.weekends.worked }} weekends, of a total of {{ calendar.weekends.total }} weekends in the above calendar year.
So you would work {{ Math.floor(calendar.weekends.worked / calendar.weekends.total * 100) }}% of weekends with the {{ name }} pattern.
How to implement 4on4off in RotaPlanner
We have a range of shift pattern templates that are easy to add. Here's how you add a 6 on 4 off pattern in our rota planner:
- Click the plus on your desired start day
- Select 'Use shift pattern' at the top of the modal
- Select the pattern in the pattern drop down
- Fill out the details and click 'Add pattern'.
The shift pattern is now added to your rota, here is an example of what it could look like:
The above shows a 7 till 7, 12 hour shifts in a 4 on 4 off shift pattern. You will need 4 employees/teams to cover the shifts within this pattern.
Other templates: We're working on adding more templates, if you request a specific one via support we'll add it for you.
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Common Hours for 6 on 4 off Shifts
A 6 on 4 off shift pattern usually means working for 6 days in a row, followed by 4 days off. Common working hours can vary, but they often include 8-hour or 12-hour shifts, depending on the needs of the business. This pattern helps balance long working periods with enough rest days, keeping workers productive and reducing fatigue.
The 6 on 4 off shifts are flexible and can be adjusted to suit different roles, making them a good choice for many workplaces.
For an 8-hour shift, common times could be from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm, or 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. This rotation covers the entire day and night, allowing businesses to operate 24/7.
For a 12-hour shift, typical hours might be from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm for the day shift, and 7:00 pm to 7:00 am for the night shift. This setup gives workers longer breaks between shifts and provides continuous coverage with fewer handovers.
What are some alternatives to the 6 on 4 off shift pattern?
If the "6 on 4 off" shift pattern isn’t quite right for you, there are several other shift patterns that might better suit your needs. Here are some popular alternatives:
4 on 4 off
The "4 on 4 off" pattern involves working four 12-hour shifts followed by four days off. This schedule offers a more balanced cycle of work and rest, making it easier to recover after shifts. Many people like this pattern for its predictability and longer rest periods. However, the long 12-hour shifts can still be quite demanding.
DuPont Shift Pattern
The DuPont system follows a more complex eight-week rotation, mixing day and night 12-hour shifts. It generally includes four days on, three days off, three days on, one day off, three nights on, three days off, four nights on, and then a full seven days off. This pattern is appealing because it provides longer breaks and adequate recovery time. However, it can be tricky to adjust to due to the irregular changes between day and night shifts.
2-2-3 (Panama) Shift Pattern
The "2-2-3" or "Panama" shift pattern rotates between two days on, two days off, and three days on, with shifts alternating between days and nights. Over a two-week period, employees work seven days. This pattern is beneficial as it offers frequent breaks and a steady rotation, which can help reduce burnout. However, switching between day and night shifts can still disrupt sleep schedules.
5 on 3 off
The "5 on 3 off" pattern is a more traditional schedule, with five consecutive 8-hour shifts followed by three days off. This option provides a familiar work week and shorter daily shifts, which can reduce fatigue compared to 12-hour shifts. While it offers a predictable routine, it doesn't provide as many consecutive days off as other patterns, which could be a drawback for some.
Why You Should Use a Rota Planner for 6 on 4 off Shifts
Rota planner software is very useful for managing a 6 on 4 off shift pattern. It helps you create schedules easily, make sure shifts are fair, follow rules, see everything in real-time, communicate well, adjust to changes, and get helpful insights.
RotaPlanner.app makes scheduling easier, improves communication, and helps manage your staff better.
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