The 3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule
A 50/50 schedule where each parent has a 3-day and a 4-day block across a two-week cycle, so the longest stretch is four nights.
50% / 50%
overnights split
4
exchanges / cycle
14
day cycle
How the 3-4-4-3 schedule works
Week 1: Parent A for 3 nights, Parent B for 4 nights. Week 2: Parent A for 4 nights, Parent B for 3 nights. Over 14 days that's a perfect 7/7 split with a comfortable maximum of four nights apart.
Advantages
- Shorter maximum stretch than 2-2-5-5 or alternating weeks
- Fewer exchanges than 2-2-3
- Predictable blocks that still keep both parents close
- A good balance of stability and contact
Things to consider
- Blocks shift week to week, so it's less 'same-day' predictable
- Still requires close proximity
- Some families find the changing pattern harder to memorise
By age
A solid choice for school-aged children who want more frequent contact than alternating weeks but fewer moves than 2-2-3.
School considerations
Works well; using a shared calendar helps everyone track which block they're in each week.
Holidays
Pairs naturally with an odd/even holiday overlay.
Compare with other schedules
Frequently asked questions
What is a 3-4-4-3 schedule?
A 14-day 50/50 rotation of 3, 4, 4, 3 nights, so children are never away from a parent for more than four nights.
Is 3-4-4-3 the same as 4-3-3-4?
They're mirror images — the split is identical (50/50); only which parent starts changes.
Related schedules
Put this schedule to work — free.
Save it to a shared calendar, track expenses, and invite your co-parent so you're both in sync.