Shift work doesn’t fit a neat nine-to-five grid — there are overnight shifts that cross midnight, 12-hour rotations, and patterns that shuffle from week to week. This free shift schedule maker is built for exactly that. Add your team, drop shifts onto the week, and the hours add up automatically, with overnight shifts and breaks handled correctly. No sign-up, no app to download, no credit card. When it’s ready, print it or export to Google Sheets, Excel, or PDF.
A shift schedule maker that handles real shift work
Plenty of free templates assume everyone works the same daytime hours. Shift schedules are messier, and this tool is made for the way they actually run:
- Overnight shifts work — a shift from 10 PM to 6 AM is calculated correctly across midnight, so your hours are right the first time.
- Rotating patterns in one step — apply the same shift to several days at once, so a recurring or rotating rota takes seconds to lay out, not minutes.
- Hours add up for you — each person’s weekly total, each day’s coverage, and the overall total update as you build, whether you run 8-hour or 12-hour shifts.
- Unpaid breaks are deducted from each shift, so the hours you see are the hours you pay.
- Color-coded by person or role so a glance tells you who’s on, day or night — on screen and in print.
- No sign-up, nothing to install — open the page and start building. Your schedule stays private in your own browser.
How to make a shift schedule
- Add your team. Enter each person’s name, an optional role, and pick a color.
- Drop in shifts. Click a day next to someone, set the start and end times and any unpaid break. For a shift that crosses midnight, just set an end time earlier than the start — it’s counted as overnight.
- Build rotating patterns fast. Select several days at once to apply the same shift across the week.
- Watch the hours total. Each person’s weekly hours, daily coverage, and the overall total update as you go.
- Share it. Download a printable PDF, export to Google Sheets or Excel, save an image to send your crew, or print a copy for the wall.
Print it or send it to your crew
Once your rota’s set, get it to the team however works best:
Printable PDF
Download a clean, color-coded shift schedule that fits on one page — ready to print and post where every shift can see it.
Google Sheets or Excel
Export a spreadsheet you can open in Google Sheets or Excel to adjust further or track hours and labor cost. Totals come through already calculated.
Save as an image
Export a sharp image to text or message to your crew so everyone knows when they’re on.
Around-the-clock coverage
Turn weekends on or off, switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time, and schedule any hour of the day or night — built for healthcare, manufacturing, security, hospitality, and any team that runs in shifts.
For day, night, and rotating shifts
Whether you’re covering a single night crew, alternating 12-hour rotations, or a pattern that changes week to week, the grid adapts to your team and your hours. Add as many people and shifts as you need, and let the totals do the counting — no software, no subscription, no learning curve.
Frequently asked questions
Is this shift schedule maker free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no app to download, and no watermark on your downloads. Build as many shifts and weeks as you like.
Does it handle overnight and night shifts?
Yes. A shift that crosses midnight, such as 10 PM to 6 AM, is calculated correctly as an overnight shift, so the hours come out right.
Can it do rotating or 12-hour shift patterns?
Yes. You can apply the same shift to several days at once, which makes rotating rotas and 12-hour patterns quick to set up, and the hours total automatically.
Does it add up hours for me?
Yes. It totals each person’s weekly hours, each day’s coverage, and the overall total automatically, with unpaid breaks deducted.
Can I export my shift schedule to Google Sheets or Excel?
Yes. The Sheets / Excel button downloads a spreadsheet file you can open in Google Sheets or Excel, with hours already totaled.
Can I print the shift schedule?
Yes. Use the Print button or download a printable PDF that keeps your color-coding and fits on one page to post for your crew.
Will my schedule be saved if I close the tab?
Yes. It’s saved automatically in your browser, so it’s there when you come back on the same device.
My name is