The Fill Rate Calculator helps supply chain managers, inventory planners, and logistics teams measure how well they meet customer demand without backorders or stockouts. It shows the percentage of customer orders or units that are delivered in full and on time. A higher fill rate means better service, fewer missed sales, and happier customers. This calculator is part of the Inventory Performance and Order Fulfillment Calculator category and is widely used in retail, manufacturing, and distribution.
formula of Fill Rate Calculator
Fill Rate = (Number of Units Delivered on Time / Number of Units Ordered) × 100
or equivalently,
Fill Rate = (Number of Orders Filled Completely / Total Number of Orders) × 100
Where:
Number of Units Delivered on Time means total units shipped and received by the customer when needed
Number of Units Ordered means total units requested in the original order
Or, when tracking by order lines instead of units, the second formula shows how many entire orders were shipped without any shortages.
Common Fill Rate Benchmarks Reference Table
This table shows typical fill rate targets for different industries and helps you see if your rate meets the standard.
| Industry | Typical Fill Rate (%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Stores | 95–98 | High customer expectations for shelf stock |
| Wholesale Distribution | 90–95 | Balances cost and service |
| Manufacturing Supply | 85–95 | Depends on supplier reliability |
| E-commerce Fulfillment | 97–99 | Competes on fast, full delivery |
Meeting or exceeding industry fill rate standards helps keep customers loyal and operations running smoothly.
Example of Fill Rate Calculator
Let’s check a practical example.
Suppose a distributor received orders for 10,000 units in a month but could only ship 9,600 units on time.
- Use the unit-based formula:
Fill Rate = (9,600 / 10,000) × 100
Fill Rate = 0.96 × 100
Fill Rate = 96%
So, this means 96% of customer demand was fill completely and on time.
Alternatively, if you look at entire orders:
Suppose 180 out of 200 orders were ship without any missing items.
Fill Rate (by orders) = (180 / 200) × 100 = 90%
Both methods show useful insights for supply chain planning.
Most Common FAQs
The fill rate shows how reliably a company meets customer demand. A low fill rate means missed sales, backorders, and unhappy customers, while a high fill rate boosts satisfaction and repeat business.
Most businesses aim for at least 95% or higher, but the ideal number depends on your industry and customer expectations. Critical industries like healthcare may require nearly 100%.
Use better demand forecasting, keep safety stock for fast-moving items, work with reliable suppliers, and monitor inventory levels closely. Automation tools can help track real-time stock and reduce errors.