Panama schedule calendar generator (2-2-3 rotating)

How the Panama (2-2-3 rotating) pattern works

Each fortnight is the same 2-2-3 sequence of 12-hour shifts. At the end of a fortnight the crew moves from days to nights, or back, after a three-day break, so everyone shares the nights. The 28-day cycle repeats on the same days of the week.

Also searched for as: Panama shift pattern, Panama 12 hour schedule, rotating 2-2-3.

The cycle is 28 days long: 2 day shifts, 2 days off, 3 day shifts, 2 days off, 2 day shifts, 3 days off, 2 night shifts, 2 days off, 3 night shifts, 2 days off, 2 night shifts, 3 days off, and then it starts again.

Every crew, day by day

One full cycle for each crew, so you can see who covers what.

The numbers

A year is 365.25 days on average, so the yearly figures are averages; the calendar above counts the exact days of the year you pick.

Good and bad about Panama (2-2-3 rotating)

In its favour

• Everyone shares the nights
• A three-day break at each change between days and nights
• The same 2-2-3 rhythm all the time

Against it

• Two weeks of nights in a row is hard on sleep
• The 28-day cycle is harder to plan fixed commitments around
• Employers define Panama differently, so check your roster

Who uses Panama (2-2-3 rotating)

Used for 12-hour round-the-clock cover in emergency services, industry and healthcare where the nights are shared out.

Employers run these patterns in slightly different ways, and a union contract or roster can differ from the version here. The grid above is exact for the cycle shown: if your roster differs, choose “My own cycle” in the calendar and type it in.

Other shift patterns

• Pitman (2-2-3)Work two, off two, work three, off two, work two, off three: 14 days of 12-hour shifts.Open
• DuPontA 28-day, four-crew rotation of 12-hour shifts: four nights, three off, three days, one off, three nights, three off, four days, then seven days off.Open
• 4 on 4 offTwo 12-hour day shifts, two 12-hour night shifts, then four days off, repeated.Open

All shift patterns and the cycle builder

Frequently asked questions