Shift pattern generator

A shift rota repeats a fixed block of work days and rest days. For a 4-on-4-off pattern the block is eight days long, and it repeats from your first work day, so your shifts drift across weekdays and weekends over time. This generator takes your start date and pattern, then projects it forward week by week, marking each day as work or off and totalling the shifts and rest days. It supports common patterns like 4 on 4 off, 3 on 3 off, 5 on 2 off and 7 on 7 off, or a custom block. It assumes a single unbroken rota, so check it against your employer's published roster.

Set your first work day, choose a pattern, and pick how many weeks to project. The result lays out each week and counts your work days and rest days.

Your rota

First work day Pattern 4 on, 4 off 3 on, 3 off 5 on, 2 off 2 on, 2 off, 3 on (continental, simplified) 7 on, 7 off Custom Days on Days off Weeks to project

Generate the rota

How this is worked out

A shift rota repeats a fixed block. For 4 on 4 off, the block is eight days long: four work days then four rest days, repeating from your first work day.

cycle length = days on + days off
for each day, position = (days since start) modulo cycle length
a work day is any position less than "days on"
because the cycle ignores the seven-day week, your work days drift across weekdays and weekends over time

This projects the pattern forward from your start date and counts the work days and rest days. It assumes a single unbroken rota with no leave or swaps. Check it against your employer's published roster.

Working out holiday on top of shifts? See the irregular-hours holiday accrual calculator, or browse the full calculator set.

This projects a single unbroken rota and does not account for leave or swaps. Confirm against your employer's roster.

Common questions

How does the shift pattern generator work?

It repeats a fixed block of work and rest days from your first work day. For 4 on 4 off the block is eight days long, so for each day it works out the position in the cycle and marks it as a work day or a rest day, then totals them across the weeks you project.

Why do my shifts drift across weekdays and weekends?

Because a rota like 4 on 4 off ignores the seven-day week, its eight-day cycle does not line up with weekends, so over time your work days slide across every day of the week. The generator shows this drift week by week.

Which shift patterns does it support?

It supports common patterns including 4 on 4 off, 3 on 3 off, 5 on 2 off, 7 on 7 off and a simplified continental pattern, plus a custom block where you set your own number of days on and days off.

Does the rota account for my leave or shift swaps?

No. It projects a single unbroken pattern and does not account for annual leave, sickness or swaps. Use it as a forecast and check it against your employer’s published roster.

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