Fill Rate – Definition, Calculation & Benchmarks

What means Fill Rate?

Fill rate measures how many customer orders can be fulfilled directly from available stock.

Formula

(Fulfilled demand ÷ total demand) × 100

Example

950 out of 1,000 orders fulfilled immediately

→ Fill rate = 95%

Benchmarks

• > 98% → excellent
• 95–98% → good
• < 95% → critical
  
  
  

Significance

This KPI reflects a company’s actual ability to deliver.

Causes of poor Performance

• inaccurate forecasts
• low inventory levels
• delivery delays
• poor planning
  
  
  

Optimization

• better forecasting
• adjustment of safety stock
• closer supplier management
  
  
  

Typical Mistakes in Interpretation

👉 High availability can also indicate excessive inventory.

→ Must be combined with inventory turnover.

Relation to other KPIs

• backorder rate
• days of inventory
• forecast accuracy
  
  
  

Practical Example

Increase in fill rate from 92% to 97%:

→ significantly fewer customer complaints

❓ FAQ

Conclusion

Inventory availability is a key KPI for delivery performance and customer satisfaction.