How many hours a year is 4-on-4-off?

About 2,190 hours (183 shifts × 12 hours) — similar annual hours to a 9-to-5, compressed into half the days.

Do you get weekends off on 4-on-4-off?

Sometimes. Because the cycle is 8 days, your 4-off block rotates through the week — you'll get full weekends off regularly, but not every week.

Is 4-on-4-off full time?

Yes — it averages 42 hours a week, slightly over a standard full-time load.

Shift patterns

4-on-4-off Schedule: Shift Hours & Calendar

A 4-on-4-off schedule means you work four consecutive 12-hour shifts, then get four consecutive days off, repeating on an 8-day cycle. Because the cycle isn't a 7-day week, your workdays drift across the calendar — but you always know the pattern and you get a 4-day break every 8 days. It averages 42 hours per week across a full cycle.

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### 4-on-4-off Schedule key facts 4-on-4-off is a 12-hour shift pattern: 4 consecutive shifts, then 4 full days off, repeating every 8 days. Averages 42 hrs/week and gives 4-day breaks year-round. - Cycle: 8 days, 4 crews (2 day, 2 night) - Average hours: 42 hrs/week averaged (alternates 36- and 48-hour weeks)

4-on-4-off Schedule calendar

4-on-4-off drifting across 4 calendar weeks (example crew switching day → night blocks)
	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week 1	Day	Day	Day	Day	Off	Off	Off
Week 2	Off	Day	Day	Day	Day	Off	Off
Week 3	Off	Off	Off	Night	Night	Night	Night
Week 4	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off

At a glance

4-on-4-off Schedule at a glance
Shift length	12 hours
Cycle	8 days, 4 crews (2 day, 2 night)
Average hours	42 hrs/week averaged (alternates 36- and 48-hour weeks)

Who uses the 4-on-4-off schedule?

Security, oil & gas, mining, airport operations, casinos, and UK-style policing; common wherever 24/7 coverage needs simple, predictable crews.

Pros

A 4-day mini-vacation every 8 days, all year
Dead-simple pattern — easy to plan months ahead
Only ~183 workdays a year

Cons

Four 12-hour shifts in a row is fatiguing by day 4
The 8-day cycle drifts, so you work a rotating share of weekends
Day/night rotating variants are tough on sleep

Frequently asked questions

How many hours a year is 4-on-4-off?: About 2,190 hours (183 shifts × 12 hours) — similar annual hours to a 9-to-5, compressed into half the days.
Do you get weekends off on 4-on-4-off?: Sometimes. Because the cycle is 8 days, your 4-off block rotates through the week — you'll get full weekends off regularly, but not every week.
Is 4-on-4-off full time?: Yes — it averages 42 hours a week, slightly over a standard full-time load.