Work Schedule Calculator
Work Schedule Calculator
Compare 5/40, 4/10, 9/80, 3/12 and 4/12 in one place. Get your shift end time, weekly hours, days off, overtime and estimated pay in seconds.
One calculator, every common pattern
Every job runs on a schedule. Some follow the classic five-day week. Others press the same hours into four longer days, or spread them across a two-week cycle. Each pattern has trade-offs: rest days, overtime, commute time, and how your pay stacks up. This calculator puts them side by side. Pick a pattern, enter your details, and see real numbers.
How to use it
- Choose a schedule pattern from the first dropdown. The calculator fills in the usual hours and days for that pattern.
- Set your shift start time.
- Check the paid hours per shift. Change them if your workplace is different.
- Add your unpaid break in minutes, or tick the box if your break is paid.
- Tick the days you actually work. Swap them around if you like.
- Enter your hourly rate to see pay estimates. Leave it blank for hours only.
Quick reference
- 5/40 — 5 days × 8 hours = 40 paid hours a week.
- 4/10 — 4 days × 10 hours = 40 paid hours, one extra day off.
- 9/80 — 80 hours over two weeks, one extra day off every other week.
- 3/12 — 3 days × 12 hours = 36 paid hours and four days off.
- 4/12 — 4 days × 12 hours = 48 paid hours, and 8 of them usually count as overtime.
- Night shifts often pay a differential of 10% to 25% on top of your base rate.
Who this is for
- Job seekers comparing two offers side by side
- Shift workers planning meals, sleep and commutes
- HR and payroll staff checking weekly totals
- Students balancing a part-time job with study
- Anyone who has ever wanted to know when their shift really ends
Why the schedule matters
Your schedule shapes more than your paycheck. It decides when you eat, sleep and see family. It also decides how much you earn once you cross 40 hours. Some countries treat anything over 8 hours in a day as overtime. Others only look at the weekly total. A compressed pattern like 4/12 sits in a legal grey area in places where the daily cap is 10 or 12 hours. Reading the fine print before you sign is worth the effort.
Pay is not the only thing at stake. A 3/12 week gives you the most rest days, but the shifts are long and draining. A 5/40 keeps your days short but uses up five of them. The right answer depends on your health, family, commute and how your body handles long days.
Bottom line
Pick the pattern that fits your life. A 5/40 keeps your weekends free and your days short. A 4/10 trades one working day for longer hours and no change in pay. A 9/80 spreads that trade-off over two weeks. A 3/12 gives the most days off but shorter total hours. A 4/12 pays overtime but eats your energy. Run the numbers, then decide.
Common questions
How many hours is full time?
In most countries, 40 hours a week. Some set the line at 35 or 37.5. Hospitals often treat 36 hours as full time under a 3/12 pattern.
Which schedule gives the most days off?
3/12 wins with four days off a week. 4/10 and 4/12 give three. 9/80 adds one extra day every other week. A standard 5/40 gives two.
Do I get overtime on a 4/12 schedule?
Depends on where you work. In most of the US, UK and Canada, hours over 40 a week are overtime. On a 4/12 you work 48, so 8 hours are usually paid at 1.5×. Some countries cap daily hours instead and count anything over 8 or 10 as overtime.
What is a 9/80 flex day?
It is the day you work short one week and skip the next. Friday is the usual choice. You still work 80 hours over two weeks, so your pay stays the same.
Can I use a pattern not listed?
Yes. Choose Custom and set your own hours and days. The calculator will work out everything from your inputs.
What if my break is paid?
Tick the checkbox. Your break stops being added to at-work time, so your shift end moves earlier by the break duration.
Is 4/12 legal everywhere?
No. Some countries and regions cap shifts at 10 or 12 hours and require extra rest after long days. Always check your local labour law or your union agreement before signing up for a 4/12 rotation.
Does a night shift pay more?
In many hospitals, factories and security operations, yes. Night differentials of 10% to 25% are common. To estimate, add the differential to your base rate before entering it above.