Free templates
12 Hour Shift Schedule Templates
The four most common 12-hour rotations — 2-2-3 (Panama), Pitman, 4-on-4-off, and 2-days/2-nights/4-off — with visual examples of each cycle. Every template below is built into the ShiftChange Home rotation builder, so you can load one and see your next 8 weeks on a calendar in about 30 seconds. Free, no signup required.
Skip the reading and build your schedule now — pick a template, set your start date, done.
2-2-3 (Panama)
the “2 2 3 work schedule” — one of the most searched rotations
14 days shown · one full cycle highlighted by the repeating pattern
- Best for
- Nursing, manufacturing, and 24/7 coverage teams that want every other weekend off.
- Why crews love it
- Never more than 3 shifts in a row; every other long weekend (Fri–Sun) off; easy to memorize.
- Watch out for
- A 3-day work block can include a weekend; switching between day and night crews needs a flip plan.
4 on / 4 off
the classic 12-hour day or night rotation
16 days shown · one full cycle highlighted by the repeating pattern
- Best for
- Paramedics, firefighters, plant operators, and anyone who wants a predictable 8-day cycle.
- Why crews love it
- Four full days off after every block; dead-simple to project months ahead; great for planning family events.
- Watch out for
- Four 12-hour shifts in a row is physically demanding; no fixed weekend pattern.
Pitman
fixed 12-hour Pitman schedule (2-3-2 day/night split)
28 days shown · one full cycle highlighted by the repeating pattern
- Best for
- Teams that need both day and night crews covering the same posts with guaranteed weekends.
- Why crews love it
- Every other 3-day weekend off; no more than 3 consecutive shifts; balanced day/night coverage.
- Watch out for
- Two-week cycle is harder to memorize than 4-on-4-off; handovers must be tight.
2D / 2N / 4 off
quick-rotation days-to-nights cycle
16 days shown · one full cycle highlighted by the repeating pattern
- Best for
- Rotating crews who split time between day and night shifts, common in healthcare and security.
- Why crews love it
- Short bursts make nights easier to survive; 4 days off to recover each cycle.
- Watch out for
- Frequent day/night flips are tough on sleep; needs deliberate recovery routines.
Which template should you pick?
- Want maximum days off and simple math? Go 4 on / 4 off.
- Want every other weekend off? Go 2-2-3 or Pitman.
- Rotate between days and nights? 2D / 2N / 4 off keeps the bursts short.
- Not sure? Load each one in the builder and compare the next 8 weeks side by side with your family calendar.
No account needed to preview. Save it only if you love it.