2 day shifts, 2 night shifts and 4 rest days
The 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off pattern is an eight-day cycle. A common version uses two 12-hour day shifts, two 12-hour night shifts and then four rest days.
The first rest period begins when the second night shift finishes, not at midnight before it. TimeCalculate handles that overnight boundary so shared time is measured from the real shift end.
Calculate dates from the correct cycle start
- Select the first day shift as cycle day 1, using a date confirmed by your rota.
- Check the default 07:00–19:00 days and 19:00–07:00 nights against your workplace times.
- Scan or enter the other person's repeating pattern and verify every detected block.
- Compare a long enough range to capture weekends and longer shared breaks as the cycles move out of phase.
2 days, 2 nights, 4 off FAQ
Does the last night shift count as a rest day?
The rest period starts only when that night shift ends. The calculator measures the precise time between the overnight finish and the next shift.
Does this pattern repeat weekly?
No. It repeats every eight days, so its relationship with weekdays changes continuously.
Can I compare two different cycle start dates?
Yes. Every pattern has its own cycle day 1, which is essential when two people work the same rotation but are on different teams.