"Night shift" doesn't have one fixed set of hours - it depends on the employer, the industry, and how many shifts a workplace runs per day. This guide breaks down the standard 1st/2nd/3rd shift system and what each typically covers.
The Standard Three-Shift System
Most workplaces that run 24 hours a day divide the day into three shifts:
| Shift | Common name | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1st shift | Day shift | 7am-3pm or 8am-4pm |
| 2nd shift | Swing shift / evening shift | 3pm-11pm |
| 3rd shift | Night shift / graveyard shift | 11pm-7am |
These are the most common defaults, but plenty of workplaces shift them by an hour or two in either direction - a hospital might run 7am-7pm and 7pm-7am (two 12-hour shifts instead of three 8-hour ones), while a factory might use 6am-2pm, 2pm-10pm, 10pm-6am.
What Time Is Night Shift, Specifically?
If your workplace uses the standard three-shift system, night shift (3rd shift) is 11pm-7am. But the honest answer is: it depends on your employer, and you should check your specific schedule rather than assume. Common variations include:
- 11pm-7am - the most common default
- 10pm-6am - common in retail and some manufacturing
- 12am-8am - common where 2nd shift runs later
- 7pm-7am - common for 12-hour shifts in healthcare and emergency services
2nd Shift vs. 3rd Shift
The practical difference matters more than the exact hours. 2nd shift workers are awake for a fairly normal-feeling evening (they're just starting work when others are getting home) and asleep at a reasonably normal night. 3rd shift workers are awake through the entire night and asleep during the day - a much bigger disruption to sleep and social life, which is why night shift specifically (not 2nd shift) is what most circadian rhythm and sleep research focuses on.
If you're transitioning into 3rd shift for the first time, see our 30-day night shift survival guide for what to expect and how to prepare. If you're trying to build a sleep schedule around your specific hours, our night shift sleep schedule guide covers example schedules for both 8-hour and 12-hour patterns.
Does "Night Shift" Hours Affect Differential Pay?
Often, yes - many employers only pay shift differential for hours within a specific window (commonly 6pm-6am or 7pm-7am), so working technically-3rd-shift hours that fall slightly outside that window can mean missing out on differential pay you'd expect. Always check your specific employer's differential policy rather than assuming standard hours apply. See our shift differential negotiation guide for how differential pay typically works and how to calculate what you should be earning.