The 3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule
The 3-4-4-3 splits each week into a three-day and a four-day block: one parent has three days, the other four, and the blocks flip the following week. It's a 50/50 schedule with one of the lowest exchange counts of any equal-time rotation.
How the 3-4-4-3 rotation works
Week one: three days with Parent 1, four days with Parent 2. Week two: four days with Parent 1, three days with Parent 2. Every two weeks each parent has 7 overnights — exactly 50/50 — with only about one exchange per week.
Both parents get a mix of weekdays and weekend days in every cycle, unlike weekday/weekend splits where one parent only ever sees school mornings.
Who the 3-4-4-3 works best for
- Families who want 50/50 with fewer handoffs — half the exchanges of a 2-2-5-5, a quarter of a 2-2-3.
- School-age children comfortable with three-to-four-day stretches at each home.
- Parents with rotating work schedules who can anchor their block to fixed days.
Common Questions
Is 3-4-4-3 the same as 4-3?
No. A plain 4-3 repeats identically every week (about 60/40), while the 3-4-4-3 alternates blocks so time evens out to 50/50. See the 60/40 page for the plain 4-3 version.
How is 3-4-4-3 different from 2-2-5-5?
Both are 50/50. The 2-2-5-5 fixes which weekdays belong to each parent; the 3-4-4-3 has fewer exchanges but the day-of-week assignments shift between weeks, so it demands a shared calendar.
Can I see my exact percentage if we tweak it?
Yes — Customize This Schedule lets you tap individual days and shows the exact overnight percentage as you go.
More custody schedules
Compare this arrangement with the other common California parenting schedules, or open the full custody schedule calculator:
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