Turn a parenting plan into a color-coded year calendar. Pick a common rotation, set who starts, add holiday and vacation overrides, and see how many overnights and what percentage of time each parent has. Everything stays in your browser.
Last updated:
Holiday overrides
A holiday rule replaces the regular schedule for that day. “Alternate” gives the day to one parent in even years and the other in odd years.
Vacations and other date ranges
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How to use the Custody Schedule Calendar
Choose a schedule such as 2-2-3 or week on/week off, or pick Custom and type your rotation.
Set the start week and which parent has the first days of week 1, then enter both parents' names.
Add holiday rules: assign a holiday to one parent or alternate it between even and odd years.
Add vacations or other date ranges that replace the regular rotation.
Review the totals for overnights, percentage of time and exchanges, then print the calendar or download a CSV.
Common custody schedules and their time split
Parenting time is usually measured in overnights: percentage = nights with a parent ÷ total nights × 100. The table shows the regular rotation before holiday and vacation overrides.
Schedule
Cycle
Nights per cycle (A / B)
Split
Exchanges per 2 weeks
2-2-3
14 days
7 / 7
50 / 50
6
2-2-5-5
14 days
7 / 7
50 / 50
4
3-4-4-3
14 days
7 / 7
50 / 50
4
Week on / week off
14 days
7 / 7
50 / 50
2
Two weeks on / off
28 days
14 / 14
50 / 50
1
School nights / every weekend
7 days
4 / 3
57 / 43
4
Every other weekend + midweek overnight
14 days
9 / 5
64 / 36
6
Every other weekend
14 days
11 / 3
79 / 21
2
Exchange counts assume the rotation keeps repeating; a pick-up from school counts as an exchange even if the parents do not meet.
Choosing a schedule
Young children often do better with shorter gaps between parents, which is why 2-2-3 is popular for toddlers and preschoolers.
School-age children may prefer fewer exchanges and a fixed weekday routine; 2-2-5-5 keeps the same school nights with the same parent every week.
Teenagers and families who live farther apart often choose week on/week off or two-week blocks.
Distance and work schedules matter as much as the split: count how many exchanges each option needs and who drives.
Tips for holidays and vacations
Alternate the big holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day) between even and odd years so each parent gets each holiday every other year.
Fixed-parent holidays: Mother's Day and Father's Day are usually assigned to the matching parent every year.
Long weekends: Monday holidays such as Memorial Day or Labor Day are often attached to whichever parent has that weekend.
Summer vacation: add each parent's vacation weeks as date ranges; the percentage updates so you can see the yearly balance.
Frequently asked questions
How is the custody percentage calculated?
The calculator counts overnights: each calendar day is assigned to the parent who has the child that night, and the percentage is that parent's nights divided by all nights in the months shown. Many states use overnights to measure parenting time for child support, but rules differ, so check your state's guidelines.
What is a 2-2-3 custody schedule?
In a 2-2-3 schedule the child spends 2 days with one parent, 2 days with the other, then 3 days (usually Friday to Sunday) with the first parent. The next week it flips, so each parent has 7 of every 14 nights (50/50) and the child never goes more than 3 days without seeing either parent.
What is the difference between 2-2-3 and 2-2-5-5?
Both are 50/50. In 2-2-5-5 each parent keeps the same weekdays every week (for example Monday and Tuesday) and the weekends alternate, creating 5-day stretches. In 2-2-3 the weekdays switch every week. 2-2-5-5 has fewer exchanges and a predictable weekday routine; 2-2-3 has shorter gaps between parents.
What percentage is every other weekend?
If one parent has Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights every other weekend, that is 3 of every 14 nights, about 21%, and the other parent has about 79%. Adding one midweek overnight each week raises it to 5 of 14 nights, about 36%.
How do alternating holidays work?
An alternating holiday goes to one parent in even-numbered years and the other in odd-numbered years. For example, Thanksgiving with Parent A in 2026 and Parent B in 2027. Choose the option for each holiday; holiday and vacation overrides take priority over the regular rotation.
Is this calendar a legal parenting plan?
No. It is a planning and visualization tool. Your custody order or parenting agreement controls the actual schedule, including exchange times and holiday definitions. Use the calendar to compare options or to share a clear picture with the other parent, a mediator or an attorney.
Is my information private?
Yes. Names, schedules and dates are processed only in your browser and saved in its local storage so the calendar is there when you return. Nothing is uploaded or shared. Use Reset to clear your settings.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.