Shift Hours: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Shift Times
What the usual first, second (swing) and third shift hours are, and how to work out the paid hours for your own shift.
Common shift hours
Shift names are not defined by law. Employers set their own, but these are the hours most often used for an 8-hour shift. Use them as a guide and check your own schedule.
| Shift | Typical hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st shift (first shift, day shift) | About 6 AM or 7 AM to 2 PM or 3 PM | Morning start; usually the standard daytime hours |
| 2nd shift (second shift, swing shift) | About 2 PM or 3 PM to 10 PM or 11 PM | Afternoon and evening |
| 3rd shift (third shift, graveyard, night shift) | About 10 PM or 11 PM to 6 AM or 7 AM | Overnight; crosses midnight |
Swing shift is most often a name for second shift. Some workplaces also run 10-hour or 12-hour shifts, which start and end at different times.
Work out the hours for your shift
Take the clock-out time, subtract the clock-in time, then take off any unpaid lunch. A few worked examples:
| Shift | In | Out | Unpaid break | Paid hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st shift | 7:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 30 min | 8:00 |
| 2nd shift | 3:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 30 min | 8:00 |
| 3rd shift | 11:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 30 min | 8:00 |
The 3rd shift crosses midnight. 7:30 AM the next day is 31:30 on a 24-hour clock, and 31:30 minus 23:00 is 8 hours 30 minutes. Take off the 30-minute break and you have 8 hours. Our guide to calculating hours worked explains the method step by step.
To skip the arithmetic, enter your in and out times in the time card calculator. It handles overnight shifts, breaks, overtime and pay. For a week of shifts, the time card calculator with lunch subtracts each day's break, and the overtime calculator works out time-and-a-half pay.
Overtime and shift work
Under US federal rules, non-exempt employees must be paid overtime at one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. A night shift that crosses midnight still counts toward the workweek your employer has set. Some states also count daily hours; see the California overtime calculator for one example.
TimeCardPal gives estimates for planning and checking pay. It is not legal, tax or payroll advice. Shift names and times differ by employer; check your own schedule and pay policy.
Frequently asked questions
What are 2nd shift hours?
Second shift usually runs from the afternoon into the night, often about 3 PM to 11 PM. Exact times are set by each employer, so check your schedule.
What are 1st shift hours?
First shift is the morning or day shift. It commonly starts between 6 AM and 8 AM and ends in the afternoon, for example 7 AM to 3 PM.
What is swing shift?
Swing shift is another name many employers use for second shift, usually mid-afternoon to late evening. Some employers use it for a rotating schedule, so confirm what it means where you work.
What are 3rd shift hours?
Third shift is the overnight shift, commonly about 11 PM to 7 AM. Because it crosses midnight, add 24 hours to the clock-out time when you calculate the hours.
How many hours is an 8-hour shift with a lunch?
If the shift is 8 hours of work plus a 30-minute unpaid lunch, you are at work 8 hours 30 minutes. For example, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM is 8 hours of paid time.
Do I get paid more for working 2nd or 3rd shift?
Some employers pay a shift differential, which is extra pay per hour for evening or night work. Federal law does not require it, so it depends on your employer or contract.