A single shift typically lasts 8 to 9 hours, with the specific hours varying depending on whether it is a day, afternoon, or night shift.
Businesses often divide the workday into different shifts to maintain continuous operations or to accommodate various business needs. While the duration of a shift is generally consistent, the exact timing can differ significantly based on the type of shift.
Common Shift Types and Their Hours
The most prevalent types of shifts are the first, second, and third shifts, each with distinct typical business hours:
| Shift Type | Other Common Names | Typical Business Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First shift | Day shift, early shift, morning shift | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Second shift | Afternoon shift, late shift, evening shift | 4 p.m. – 1 a.m. |
| Third shift | Night shift, midnight shift, graveyard shift | 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. |
These hours represent common structures for various shifts in a typical work environment. Actual schedules can be adapted based on industry, company policy, and specific job roles to meet operational demands.
