Pitman schedule calendar

Two police departments describe their Pitman schedule below. HoursPad's preset uses the on and off pattern from the first one, with a four-week day block and a four-week night block added as an example. Edit it to match yours.

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.

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Example: this preset repeats every 56 days, with 28 work days and 28 days off. That is 336 hours per cycle, about 42 hours a week on average. From the example start date the first shifts are Mon, Jan 4, 2027 to Tue, Jan 5, 2027 (12 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

Check the pattern: four weeks of day shifts, then four weeks of night shifts.
Set "First day of the calendar" to your squad's first day shift.
Edit the "Pattern" box if your department rotates differently.
Press Print, or press "Add to phone calendar (.ics)".

About this schedule

HoursPad's Pitman preset: the pattern in the first source below on day shifts for four weeks, then on night shifts for four weeks, 12 hours a shift, for one squad. Change it to match your employer's.

What official sources say:

The Denville, New Jersey police department says its patrol squads work twelve hour shifts under the Pitman Schedule: two days on, two days off, three days on, two days off, two days on, three days off.
The Nantucket, Massachusetts police department says it uses the Pitman Schedule, which it describes as 4 teams that work 2 day/night shifts, then get 2 rest days, followed by 3 day/night shifts.

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 does the Pitman preset take to repeat?

56 days: 28 shifts and 28 days off, about 42 hours a week on average.

Why does the preset have day and night blocks?

HoursPad's preset is an example: four weeks of day shifts, then four weeks of night shifts. Edit the pattern, or delete the night groups, to match the schedule you work.

How is this different from the 2-2-3 calendar?

The 2-2-3 page repeats one 14-day pattern. This page adds the day and night rotation, so it covers 56 days before it repeats.

Is this the official Pitman 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

Denville Police Department, Patrol Division (opens in new tab), Township of Denville Police Department.
“The squads are assigned to work twelve hour shifts under the Pitman Schedule (two days on, two days off, three days on, two days off, two days on, three days off)”
Checked November 11, 2026. Rules change; verify with the source.
Nantucket Police Officer FAQs: What hours will I have to work? (opens in new tab), Town of Nantucket.
“This schedule involves 4 teams that work 2 day/night shifts, then get 2 rest days, followed by 3 day/night shifts.”
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.