1st, 2nd and 3rd Shift Hours: What Time Is Each Shift?

Short answer: In a typical three-shift day, first shift runs from about 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., second shift from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and third shift from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Exact times vary by employer: some use 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. instead.

Chart of first, second and third shift hours — Three 8-hour shifts cover 24 hours.

Typical shift hours

Shift	Common hours	Alternative	Also called
1st shift	7 a.m. – 3 p.m.	6 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Day shift
2nd shift	3 p.m. – 11 p.m.	2 p.m. – 10 p.m.	Swing shift, evening shift
3rd shift	11 p.m. – 7 a.m.	10 p.m. – 6 a.m.	Night shift, graveyard shift

Read more about first shift, second shift and third shift, or convert times with the military time chart.

Other common shift patterns

12-hour shifts: two shifts a day, such as 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. See 12-hour shift schedules.
Split shifts: a workday in two parts with a long break. See the split shift guide.
Rotating shifts: employees move between day and night shifts. See rotating schedules.

Pay by shift

Federal law does not require extra pay for second or third shift, but many employers pay a shift differential. Overtime rules are the same on every shift: over 40 hours a week for non-exempt employees, plus daily overtime in some states.

Schedule all three shifts

EZTime builds multi-shift schedules, lets employees swap shifts with approval and records punches across midnight with overtime alerts.

Frequently asked questions

What time is first shift?

Usually 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., sometimes 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What time is second shift?

Usually 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., sometimes 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

What time is third shift?

Usually 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., sometimes 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Which shift pays the most?

Third shift often has the highest shift differential, but it depends on the employer.

Build first, second and third shift schedules in minutes. Start your 14-day trial or book a demo.

Updated November 2026.