The 60/40 Custody Split
Primary parent has ~60% of overnights, secondary parent has ~40%. Common middle-ground arrangement.
by The CoreParent Co-Founders · Last updated
In short
One parent has a little more than half the time and the other a little less. In the pattern shown, that is 8 of 14 days with Parent A and 6 of 14 with Parent B, about 57/43, a split usually called 60/40.
How it works
A common 60/40 pattern: in week 1, Parent A has Monday through Wednesday and Parent B has Thursday through Sunday. In week 2, Parent A has Monday through Friday and Parent B has Saturday and Sunday. That gives Parent A 8 of 14 days and Parent B 6 of 14, about 57/43, which is usually described as 60/40.
A two-week example
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | A | A | A | B | B | B | B |
| Week 2 | A | A | A | A | A | B | B |
Parent A has the start of every week. Parent B has Thursday through Sunday in week 1 and Saturday and Sunday in week 2, so Parent B has both weekends and Parent A has most school days.
By the numbers
- Cycle: 2 weeks, then it repeats.
- Time with each parent: Parent A 8 of 14 days, Parent B 6 of 14 days (57/43).
- Exchanges: 4 every two weeks (2 per week on average).
- Longest stretch: Parent A 5 days in a row, Parent B 4 days in a row.
What makes it work
- Matching the split to real schedules. 60/40 often fits when one parent has more time on school days, but both want regular weekday and weekend time.
- Steady weekday time for both. Even the parent with less time has some school nights, which keeps them part of homework and routines.
- Clear written days. There is no single standard 60/40 pattern, so write out exactly which days belong to whom.
Pros and cons
- Gives secondary parent real weekday presence: school drop-offs, homework, dinners
- Less demanding than 50/50 when one parent's schedule is tighter
- In many states, the number of overnights affects the child support calculation (check your state's rules)
- Still unequal: the secondary parent misses some key weekday moments
- Exact day assignments vary by family; less standardized than 50/50 schedules
Best for
Parents with unequal work schedules where one can handle more weekday caregiving but both want real involvement.
By age
General guidance only. Every child is different, and what fits can change as they grow.
- Under 3: Here Parent B can go 5 days without the children. Child-development guidance generally favors short, frequent time with each parent at this age, so a schedule with shorter stretches may fit better.
- 3 to 5: Workable for many children, especially with a call during the longer stretches.
- 6 to 12: A common fit. Both homes stay involved in school, and no stretch is longer than 5 days.
- Teens: Works well, and the split can be adjusted as teens' schedules change.
Exchanges, holidays, and summer
- Exchange times: Four every two weeks: Thursday and the following Monday, then Saturday and the following Monday. School drop-off handles the Mondays.
- Holidays: Most plans lay a holiday schedule over the regular rotation, with major holidays alternating by year. The holiday plan wins when they conflict, and the regular schedule picks back up after.
- Summer: Some families switch to week on, week off for summer, which evens out the year a little.
Common variations
- 4-3-4-3: A simpler weekly pattern with about the same split: Monday through Thursday with one parent, Friday through Sunday with the other.
- 3-4-4-3: Shift one more day to the second parent to get a full 50/50.
- 70/30 split: Less time for the second parent, usually weekends only.
Common pitfalls
- Parent A has no weekends. In this pattern, every weekend goes to Parent B. Trade some weekends if Parent A wants free time with the children.
- Confusing alternating weeks. Week 1 and week 2 differ, so keep a shared calendar.
- Saturday hand-offs. The week 2 exchange falls on a Saturday, not a school day. Agree on a time and place.
Frequently asked questions
Is this exactly 60/40?
Close. As shown, Parent A has 8 of 14 days (57%) and Parent B has 6 of 14 (43%). An exact 60/40 split isn't possible in whole days over two weeks, so families use patterns near it.
How many exchanges are there?
Four every two weeks, about two a week.
Does 60/40 affect child support?
It can. Many states factor the number of overnights into the child support calculation. Check your state's guidelines.
Who is a 60/40 schedule good for?
Families where one parent has more school-day availability but both parents want meaningful weekday and weekend time.
Put it on your calendar
In CoreParent, pick the template closest to your days in your parenting plan, such as 4-3 or 8-6, or choose Custom Schedule and write out your pattern. Templates fill in who has the kids for the next 90 days. Share it with your co-parent, or keep it to yourself.