Shifty

24/72 Schedule Calendar & Generator

Four platoons on 24-hour shifts. Each works one 24-hour shift, then has 72 hours off, on a 4-day cycle.

Also called: 24 on 72 off, four platoon schedule, firefighter 24/72.

Shift length
24 h
Avg hours / week
42
Weekends off / year
26
Longest stretch on
1 shift
Longest break
3 days
Cycle length
4 days

24/72 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 24/72 schedule works

The 24/72 schedule adds a fourth platoon to the classic fire department rotation: work a 24-hour shift, then have three days off.

Each platoon works one 24-hour shift, then has 72 hours off, on a 4-day cycle, so your shift lands on a different weekday each time.

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

24/72 Schedule crew rotation, day by day

Each row is one platoon over one full 4-day cycle. Read down a column to see who is working on that day.

Day1234
Crew AW–––
Crew B–––W
Crew C––W–
Crew D–W––

Who uses it

Trade-offs

24/72 Schedule FAQ

How many hours a week is a 24/72 schedule?

42 hours a week on average. That is about 91 24-hour shifts a year, though individual weeks vary.

How many weekends off do you get on a 24/72 schedule?

About 26 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 24/72 rotation?

The cycle repeats every 4 days. The longest run of shifts is 1 in a row and the longest break is 3 days off in a row.

What is the difference between 24/48 and 24/72?

24/48 uses three platoons and averages 56 hours a week. 24/72 uses four platoons and averages 42 hours a week, with three days off after each shift instead of two.

Can I print a 24/72 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.