Shifty

24/48 Schedule Calendar & Generator

Three platoons on 24-hour shifts. Each works one 24-hour shift, then has 48 hours off, on a 3-day cycle.

Also called: 24 on 48 off, firefighter 24/48.

Shift length
24 h
Avg hours / week
56
Weekends off / year
17
Longest stretch on
1 shift
Longest break
2 days
Cycle length
3 days

24/48 schedule generator

The cycle start date is any date that was Day 1 of the rotation in the crew table above. Not sure? Pick a recent date you started a run of shifts, then switch crews until the calendar matches what you actually worked.

Keep it synced on your phone

The .ics download is a one-time copy. Calendar sync gives you a live calendar link for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook that rolls forward on its own, and you can change crew or schedule any time without re-importing.

Coming soon

How the 24/48 schedule works

The 24/48 schedule is the most common fire department rotation: work a 24-hour shift, then have two days off. Three platoons (often called A, B and C shift) keep the station covered.

Each platoon works one 24-hour shift, then has 48 hours off, on a 3-day cycle, so your shift lands on a different weekday each time.

Three platoons are offset by one day, so exactly one is on duty every day.

24/48 Schedule crew rotation, day by day

Each row is one platoon over one full 3-day cycle. Read down a column to see who is working on that day.

Day123
Crew AW––
Crew B–W–
Crew C––W

Who uses it

Trade-offs

24/48 Schedule FAQ

How many hours a week is a 24/48 schedule?

56 hours a week on average. That is about 122 24-hour shifts a year, though individual weeks vary.

How many weekends off do you get on a 24/48 schedule?

About 17 full weekends (Saturday and Sunday) off a year per crew. Use the generator to see exactly which ones for your crew.

How long is the 24/48 rotation?

The cycle repeats every 3 days. The longest run of shifts is 1 in a row and the longest break is 2 days off in a row.

What is the difference between 24/48 and 48/96?

Both average the same hours. 24/48 is one 24-hour shift then two days off; 48/96 is two 24-hour shifts back to back then four days off.

Can I print a 24/48 calendar or add it to my phone?

Yes. Pick your crew and cycle start date in the generator, then use “Print calendar” for a 12-month printable calendar or “Download .ics” to import your shifts into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. It's free and needs no account.