24/48 SHIFT GUIDE
Plan a 24 on, 48 off schedule
A 24/48 schedule places one 24-hour duty shift before two full days off. The pattern is easy to describe but moves through weekdays, weekends and holidays throughout the year.
Build my schedule freeHow does a 24/48 schedule work?
You work for 24 consecutive hours, remain off for the next 48 hours and then repeat. Because the cycle lasts three days rather than seven, duty dates rotate through every day of the week.
This pattern is common in round-the-clock public-safety and emergency-service operations, although staffing, relief times and local variations differ.
How much time does the schedule create?
A repeating 24/48 cycle produces one duty day out of every three calendar days. Over a full year that is roughly 121 or 122 scheduled duty shifts, depending on the start date and year.
- Two days away from duty after each shift
- Weekend and holiday duty rotates
- A predictable three-day cycle
- Long shifts require recovery planning
Choose the correct anchor date
Enter a date you know begins a 24-hour duty period, then select 24 on / 48 off. Set the normal start time and choose a 24-hour shift length for the countdown.
Add a confirmed payday separately. Pay cycles do not necessarily match the three-day work rotation, so one known payday keeps those markers aligned.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a week is a 24/48 schedule?
The mathematical average is 56 scheduled hours per seven days. Actual payroll calculations and overtime treatment depend on the employer and applicable rules.
Do you always get two calendar days off?
The pattern provides 48 hours off after the duty shift. Exact calendar dates depend on the shift start and relief time.
Can the calendar show my paydays too?
Yes. Enter one known payday and select weekly, biweekly, four-weekly or monthly pay frequency.