48/96 shift calendar

Two 24-hour shifts in a row, then four days off. Pick your first shift and HoursPad marks the year.

Not legal, tax or payroll advice. General information only; results are estimates. Read the full notice.

Pattern (days in order, then it repeats) Write groups like "4 on", "2 off", "3 day 12h" or "1 night 8.5h", separated by commas.

Hours per shift when the pattern gives none

First day of the calendar

That day is day number (of the cycle) Day 1 is the first day of the pattern. Type 3 if that date is the third day of it.

Months to show

Name for calendar events (optional)

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Not legal, tax or payroll advice. This page is provided as is, for general information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or financial advice. Labor laws and pay rules change and vary by state, employer, job and your situation. Confirm with your employer, your state labor department, the U.S. Department of Labor or a qualified professional before relying on it.

HoursPad is software from The Stroop LLC. It is not a law firm, accounting firm, payroll service or government agency, it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or other qualified professional, and nothing on this page creates a professional relationship with you. The full disclaimer and limits of liability are in the Terms of Use. By using this page, you agree to those terms. See something wrong? Report an error.

Example: this preset repeats every 6 days, with 2 work days and 4 days off. That is 48 hours per cycle, about 56 hours a week on average. From the example start date the first shifts are Mon, Jan 4, 2027 to Tue, Jan 5, 2027 (24 h a day).

Estimate based on what you entered. Not legal or payroll advice; check it against your employer's records.

How to use it

Pick the date of the first of your two shifts in "First day of the calendar".
Check the months: each block of two shifts is followed by four days off.
Edit the "Pattern" box if your platoon works it differently.
Press Print, or press "Add to phone calendar (.ics)".

About this schedule

HoursPad's 48/96 preset: two 24-hour shifts, then four days off, repeating. Change it to match your employer's.

What official sources say:

The Santa Barbara, California fire department says operations personnel work two consecutive 24-hour shifts followed by four days off, which it says is commonly referred to as a "48/96" work schedule.

Pattern groups are a number of days and a type: 4 on, 2 off, 3 day 12h or 1 night 8.5h. Make your own on the rotating shift calendar maker.

Your pattern and dates stay on your device. The .ics file is built in your browser.

Questions

How long is the cycle?

6 days: 2 shifts and 4 days off.

How many shifts fall in 2027?

122 from the example start date to the end of 2027.

How many hours a week is that on average?

56 hours a week, from 48 hours in each cycle.

Is this the official 48/96 schedule?

No. HoursPad shows a pattern and repeats it. Your employer's schedule or union agreement decides the real one. Change the "Pattern" box to match yours.

Official sources

Santa Barbara Fire Department: Operations & Training (opens in new tab), City of Santa Barbara, California.
“Operations personnel work two consecutive 24-hour shifts followed by four days off.”
Checked November 11, 2026. Rules change; verify with the source.

These are summaries of what the official sources say, not legal advice. Laws change and exceptions apply. Check with your employer or your state labor department about your own job.